The chase for the Stanley Cup gets closer to its conclusion with only four NHL teams left competing in their respective conference finals.

But while most Utah Mammoth fans are likely focused on the playoffs or free agency buzz, particularly the recent Mitch Marner rumors, several Mammoth players have been competing for a different championship.

While Karel Vejmelka and Barrett Hayton suited up for Czechia and Canada respectively, it was Utah’s Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Michael Kesselring, and Josh Doan who made it all the way to the IIHF World Championship final with Team USA.

Not only did they reach the championship, but they helped Team USA win it all, capturing the gold medal for the first time in 92 years with a 1–0 overtime win over Switzerland.

While winning gold for the U.S. brings national pride and satisfies the competitive drive of the Utah Mammoth players involved, the World Championship also offers valuable experience for the team.

That’s not to say the IIHF World Championship matches the atmosphere or intensity of the NHL Playoffs, there’s a reason why players still competing for the Stanley Cup don’t leave their teams.

But for the Utah Mammoth, having key players competing in the offseason shows a desire to be playing deep into May.

Not only that, but young players like Cooley and Doan get to accelerate their development by playing in meaningful games

Having Cooley register 12 points—which tied Chicago's Frank Nazar for first on Team USA—is a great sign for the Utah Mammoth. It not only shows chemistry developing between him and Keller, who had 10 points himself, but also boosts Cooley’s confidence in his own skills.

And while Doan’s one point wasn’t a standout on the stat sheet, he’s only a year removed from being named to the AHL All-Rookie Team.

Any experience he gains now will benefit him in the long run, as he’s likely to stay with the Utah Mammoth for the entire 2025–26 season rather than spending time with their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.

But Utah Mammoth has to be happy seeing Kesselring contribute, getting four point and helping team USA get gold in his second year playing for the team. 

Plus, it's good for the players conditioning to experience what it's like playing past the regular season.

And while it’s not a Stanley Cup, winning a championship of any kind has to feel rewarding for all of Utah’s players on Team USA.

With the IIHF World Championship now concluded and the NHL playoffs wrapping up in the coming month, the Utah Mammoth will soon shift focus to key decisions in both the upcoming draft and free agency.

Utah Might Explore Offer Sheets This Summer: A Look At Compensation Levels With the 2025 NHL offseason heating up and the World Championships now in the rearview, it’s time to shift focus to what the Utah Mammoth could do this summer.