The Utah Mammoth have a very deep prospect pool thanks to the work that general manager Bill Armstrong and his front office have done. There are players that appear to be ready to take the next step and fight for an NHL job, like Tij Iginla, Cole Beaudoin, Daniil But, and Dmitri Simashev. But there are also players who are just starting out after being drafted by the organization. These are the players who, in two to three years, will be looking to battle it out for a spot on the NHL roster.
Because of that, it’s important to watch how they perform throughout the season. So, here are three Mammoth prospects that fans should keep an eye on throughout the 2025-26 NHL season.
Michael Hrabal, G – UMass (NCAA)
One of the more interesting goalie prospects in the system at the moment is Michael Hrabal. It's difficult to find a 6-foot-7, 216-pound goalie with his size and movement. His playing has a distinct calmness to it. When things fall apart in front of him, he doesn't freak out or become shaken. It takes until a little later in their twenties for things to really come together, as is the case with most goalie prospects. Hrabal is still a few years away because he is only 20 years old. But he has already demonstrated throughout his career that he looks like a future number one when he is in his prime.
His ability to track pucks through traffic is already a strength, and he has improved his game significantly. It's easy to imagine Hrabal growing into the type of goalie who can lead a team in the future if he continues to develop as he has. Karel Vejmelka is the Mammoth's obvious starter at the moment. However, it appears that Hrabal will eventually share the crease with him.
Elite Prospects describes his game as follows:
"Hrabal's size is the clear advantage that he has on the competition. He towers over screens, and even when he's presented with a tough challenge in front of the net, he battles well for sight lines and rarely loses visual attachment on a shot. When faced with a jam play in the crease, he seals up incredibly well. Hrabal has very long legs and takes away the lower portion of the net effectively."
Caleb Desnoyers, F – Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Caleb Desnoyers will play a significant role in Utah's future down the middle. He is intelligent, talented, and already plays with a level of responsibility that is uncommon for a young forward. That is quite evident with how early the Mammoth took him in the 2025 NHL Draft.
He reads the game well, thinks it through, and possesses the competitiveness and poise that coaches love. Desnoyers has the potential to be true all-situations center—someone the coach can rely on. Of course, there is still work to be done, but the foundation is solid. If things go as expected, he has all the tools to become a high-impact player for the Mammoth in the years to come.
Elite Prospects describes his game as follows:
"Constantly involving teammates in his play, Desnoyers bases his transition game on short passes, give-and-gos, and delay plays. He connects with teammates in all directions, displaying advanced precision and awareness at 5-on-5, as well as a high level of deception on the power play, attacking downhill, challenging defenders, and threading passes across and to the far post."
Max Psenicka, D – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
The last prospect to watch is Utah's 2025 second round pick Max Psenicka. He has a unique combination of size, agility, and poise is evident. He isn't going to be the heaviest player on the ice, but he has a huge frame that will fill out as he matures. At 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds should translate well to the next level.
He makes good decisions with the puck, defends with structure, and moves well for a player his size. There’s still room for growth, especially when it comes to being more assertive in the offensive zone, but the tools are there. Psenicka already plays like someone who understands how to manage shifts and stay within a system. If he keeps trending in the right direction, he could grow into a steady two-way blueliner who can take on important minutes. Utah may have landed real value here.
Elite Prospects describes his game as follows:
"With a never-quit attitude and quick feet, Pšenička is always impacting the play. He denies entries with well-timed pokes off the rush, aggressive step-ups, and hits. Along the walls, he wins inside position as soon as possible, intercepts opponents with his shoulder, and immobilizes them. Instantly rotating and switching assignments, he’s rarely behind the play – and he has the reach and quickness to correct mistakes."
