Connor Ingram is taking a step away from Utah Hockey Club.
The National Hockey League Players’ Association announced Sunday that the goaltender would enter the player assistance program and be unavailable to Utah for an indefinite period of time as he receives care.
Ingram sent out a message shortly after his departure from the team was announced.
“For those of you that don’t know, earlier this season I lost my mother to breast cancer. After trying to make a return to playing, I have come to realize that I am not myself,” Ingram wrote in a post on X. “At this point in my life I need to put my health first, and take the time I need away to come back at 100%.”
Ingram was away for around two months between the end of November and mid-January as he dealt with the family matters.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
“For Ingy, we’re supporting him. All of our heart is with him,” head coach André Tourigny said. “We hope the best for him and we just hope everything will go well for him.”
This is Ingram’s second time in the player assistance program. The 27-year-old leaned on the system in 2021 when he was part of the Nashville Predators’ organization. The program offers confidential help to players struggling with mental health, substance abuse or other personal issues with the goal of getting them back to the point where they can rejoin their NHL teams.
Ingram later opened up about his obsessive compulsive disorder and how it has impacted his mental health. He earned the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy — awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey — in May 2024 following an impressive season with the Arizona Coyotes. In Utah, Ingram posted a 3.27 goals against average and .882 save percentage through 22 games and it was hard to find consistency.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) guards the goal during the second period of the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Ingram is serving as an example of the importance of putting one’s mental health ahead of stats and career.
“I think mental health is a thing, it’s important and it’s been underestimated for years,” Tourigny said. “Now I think it’s good to come to light and people take care of themselves. It’s important for everybody to try to help people in that regard as well.”
Jaxson Stauber was recalled from the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on Sunday in Ingram’s absence. The 25-year-old netminder will back up Karel Vejmelka, who has assumed the starting role for Utah Hockey Club after signing a five-year contract extension on Thursday.
Stauber was with the Club earlier this season and had a 2.23 goals against average and .925 save percentage through four games. The undrafted goaltender put up the first-ever shutout in Utah history with a 29-save performance against the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 30.
Utah Hockey Club goaltender Jaxson Stauber (33) stops a shot by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
“Just come in and continue to try to help the team in any way I can and make the most of any opportunities,” said Stauber, who practiced with the Club on Sunday. “It makes you hungry when you go back down and you want to perform well. I felt like I had a good first game back and then had a rough stretch for a few games there. The last little bit I’ve been playing better.”
In 17 games in Tucson this season, Stauber has a 3.11 GAA and .898 SV%. The Roadrunners are also in the thick of a playoff race in the AHL, so Stauber’s mindset remains the same with upcoming must-win matchups.
“It’s exciting. Good to get back out there with really good players,” Stauber said. “The shots come at you a little bit quicker. A little bit more engaged and that heightened level of awareness when the pucks are coming off a little bit harder.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Minnesota Wild, NHL hockey in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
It is yet to be seen if Stauber will get a chance to start as Vejmelka has been solid with a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% through 40 games. But, with 10 games in the next 19 days, some rest may be needed.
Stauber is here now to fill in but Ingram is confident he will eventually make a return after taking care of himself.
“Though many view the program as a resource for substance abuse, I want to recognize all that they do,” Ingram wrote in his message. “I am once again privileged to have access to their network of world class health professionals to hopefully avoid long-term negative effects of putting your health second. With the program’s assistance I look forward to getting the medical help I need and returning to a happy and healthy life.”
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