Connor Ingram To Be Put On Waivers By Utah

The Utah Mammoth have made their first significant roster decision of the new era, and it’s a head-scratcher. General Manager Bill Armstrong announced Wednesday that Goaltender Connor Ingram will be placed on waivers and will not attend training camp. This move effectively ends his tenure with the club, which relocated from Arizona over the summer.

Armstrong stated the team is working to find Ingram another NHL home. “Through that process, he will either get a chance to play for another NHL team, or he will go through the AHL and resume his play,” he said. The clinical, straightforward nature of the announcement belies the complexity of the situation. Ingram, just a season removed from winning the Masterton Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to hockey, is now on the outside looking in.

Connor Ingram’s Leaving Provides a Test For the Utah Mammoth Goaltending

With Ingram out, the crease now firmly belongs to Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek. This tandem, inherited from the Arizona days, presents a mix of potential and inconsistency. Vejmelka has shown flashes of brilliance, often standing on his head behind a porous defense, but his overall numbers have been pedestrian. Vanecek was acquired last season to provide stability, but struggled to find his form.

By removing Ingram, the Utah Mammoth is simplifying their goaltending logjam but also eliminating their most intriguing, and arguably highest-ceiling, netminder. Ingram’s performance in the 2023-24 season, where he posted a .907 save percentage and six shutouts, demonstrated his capability to be a legitimate NHL starter. Last season, his numbers dipped to a .882 save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average in 22 games before he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for the second time in his career in March.

The front office is betting that a simplified, two-goalie system will provide more stability. However, they are also removing a key competitor who had previously proven he could outplay Vejmelka for the starting job. It’s a calculated risk that puts immense pressure on both remaining goalies to perform from day one.

The Financial and Roster Implications

From a purely clinical perspective, the move makes some sense. Goaltending is a position of strength in terms of depth across the league, and carrying three NHL-caliber goalies on a roster is an inefficient use of resources. Placing Ingram on waivers opens up a roster spot and provides some cap flexibility, however minor.

However, the human element cannot be ignored. Ingram has been remarkably open about his struggles with mental health, specifically an undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). His journey earned him the respect of players and fans across the league, culminating in the Masterton Trophy win. The decision to part ways with a player who not only excelled on the ice but also represented the franchise with courage and vulnerability is a tough one for a team trying to build a new identity and fan base in Utah.

For Ingram, this marks another chapter in a career defined by resilience. After being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has suited up for the Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and now Utah. Cleared to play since August, the 28-year-old is now looking for his next opportunity. Given his track record and affordable contract, another NHL team will likely take a chance on Ingram.