Mammoth’s Caleb Desnoyers, Tij Iginla To Miss Rookie Camp

The Utah Mammoth will be without arguably their top two prospects at rookie camp. Cole Bagley of KSL Sports shared a note from Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong stating that forwards Caleb Desnoyers and Tij Iginla are day-to-day with injuries and will not attend Utah’s rookie camp. However, both players are expected to return for the main camp.

The update on Desnoyers isn’t surprising. In early August, playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase, Desnoyers suffered a leg injury after an awkward collision with American Wyatt Cullen. Given his status as one of the Mammoth’s top prospects, there’s no reason to rush him back. Given that he is expected to attend Utah’s main camp soon, it’s clear Desnoyers is recovering well from his injury.

Assuming he is healthy for preseason action, Desnoyers should have every opportunity to crack the Mammoth’s opening night roster. Since being drafted with the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Mammoth, the power forward has dominated opponents in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. In the past two years, Desnoyers has tallied 57 goals and 162 points in 101 games with a +87 rating. During the 2025 postseason, Desnoyers registered nine goals and 30 points in 19 games, helping the Wildcats win the QMJHL championship.

Meanwhile, the injury keeping Iginla out of rookie camp isn’t as obvious. The son of NHL legend Jarome Iginla has had injury concerns in the past, but he hasn’t suffered a major injury since the 2024-25 season. Like Desnoyers, Iginla was a top-10 selection from Utah, selected with the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft.

He performed well in limited action in his post-draft season, but he also underwent surgery on both hip joints. However, Iginla was dominant last season, scoring 41 goals and 90 points in 48 games with a +47 rating with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Additionally, Iginla registered four goals and eight points in seven games at the 2025-26 U20 IIHF World Junior Championships, helping Canada to a bronze medal. Like Desnoyers, Iginla should have every opportunity to make the Mammoth’s roster this season.