‘I Was Enchanted': Mammoth Star Opens Up About Relocation From Arizona to Utah

The Utah Mammoth star Karel Vejmelka opened up about the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes in a new interview.

In their inaugural NHL campaign, the Utah HC missed the playoffs by only nine points. This summer, the team made multiple changes, notably trading away Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan to the Buffalo Sabres for J.J. Peterka, as well as signing Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt, and Vitek Vanecek, among others.

During the 2024-25 season, management already worked on contract extensions for a few players, including goalie Karel Vejmelka.

The 29-year-old Czech goaltender agreed on a five-year, $4,750,000 AAV contract in Utah and recently opened up on a few topics about the state of the team, a year after the relocation.

Karel Vejmelka Loves Salt Lake City Due to Its 'European Feel'

On Forbes, the goalie discussed the main differences between Utah and Arizona, highlighting the 'European' feel of his new home, and how the new market is already more developed than the one in Arizona:

'Compared to Phoenix, Arizona, Utah is more European. I didn't know much about Utah before, except that there are a lot of Mormons there and that the capital is Salt Lake City.

I was enchanted by the nature there, the mountains are right next to the city, so Utah has a lot to offer for me outside of hockey. It is an ideal destination for me.'

'Being in the first year of the organization was unique because if nothing happens, the club will be around for decades to come. I knew that the first year would be extremely important: for the fans, the internal organization and the sponsors. I took it as a great challenge and responsibility, not many people get that chance.

I try to understand how the marketing around the team works, and I have to say they do a great job. Compared to Arizona, there is already more merchandising here, we have a big fan shop where things change regularly.

There wasn't even a fan shop in Arizona, everything was bought online. During the games in Utah, they not only sell team jerseys, but they also print specific names on people's backs right in the stadium. When I go out on the ice, I look around the stands, and when I see my jersey, I almost can't believe it.'

He also opened up on playing at altitude, with Utah averaging an elevation over 4,000 feet above sea level:

'You can feel it in Utah too, the average altitude is somewhere under two thousand meters. That was a big jump for me when I came from Arizona, I felt it a lot during training for the first two weeks. Then my lungs and body adapted to it and now it's more of an advantage. We have an extra physique because of it.'

Vejmelka held a 26-22-8 record last season, tallying a career-high 0.904 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average.