SALT LAKE CITY — Another Utah Mammoth player will make his way to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month as goaltender Karel Vejmelka was named to the Czechia team.
Vejmelka's time in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be his first time representing 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.
Vejmelka, 29, has posted a 18-11-2 record, 2.70 goals-against average, .896 save percentage, and one shutout over 32 times between the pipes with the Mammoth this season.
Last season, Vejmelka was selected by his teammates as Utah’s first-ever team MVP, setting new career highs in games played (58), wins (26), GAA (2.58) and SV% (.904).
Vejmelka isn't the only Mammoth heading to Italy. Clayton Keller was named to the United States team, and Olli Määttä will be representing the Finnish team at the games.
Typically, NHL players haven't been selected for Team USA at the Olympics. This year will be the first time since 2014 that the NHL has allowed players to participate. During the Games, 12 qualifying nations will play three preliminary round games before a single-elimination playoff.
The first U.S. game is Feb. 12 against Latvia. The Games will conclude with the gold medal game on February 22.
