The Utah Mammoth have another player who will make his way to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka was named to the Czechia men’s hockey team.
Vejmelka’s time in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be the first time he’s had the privilege to represent his home country at the Olympic Games. He has previously played in each of the last four IIHF World Championships, helping Czechia win gold in Prague in 2024. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has posted an 18-11- 2 record, with a 2.70 goals-against average, .896 save percentage, and one shutout through 32 games between the pipes for the Mammoth this season.
Utah Teammates Value Vejmelka
Last season, Vejmelka was selected by his teammates as Utah’s first-ever team MVP. He received the honor by setting new career highs in games played (58), wins (26), GAA (2.58), and SV% (.904). Vejmelka will not be the only Mammoth player heading to Italy in February. Team captain Clayton Keller was named to the United States team, and defenseman Olli Määttä will be representing Team Finland at the upcoming Olympic Games.
This year will be the first time since 2014 that the NHL is allowing its players to participate. During the Games, all 12 qualifying nations will play three preliminary round games before a single-elimination playoff. Many eyes will be on the Czechia team. They made it to the gold medal game at the IIHF World Juniors earlier this month. They lost to Sweden, but a silver medal is not something to be disappointed in.
Vejmelka and his Czechia teammates will have gold on their minds. However, the path to get there will not be easy. Czechia is in Group A with Team Canada, who will be heavy favorites to win. The Men’s hockey action will take place from February 11th to 22nd.
