Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah Mammoth is actively shaping its regular-season roster, making significant assignments to the AHL, including two of its top prospects. Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers are among five players assigned to the AHL as the team continues to finalize its roster ahead of the start of the regular season.
Mammoth head coach André Tourigny indicated that both Iginla and Desnoyers possess promising futures with the Utah organization. However, Tourigny stated that they require further development before they are ready to make the jump to the NHL. He characterized them as "not ‘if’ players, they’re ‘when’ players, but the ‘when’ is not now," underscoring their talent while highlighting the need for continued growth.
Tourigny detailed specific areas where Iginla and Desnoyers will benefit from further development in the professional game. He stressed the importance of refining "the finer details," which include enhancing their playing pace, improving their ability to read plays, and building stronger chemistry with their teammates. According to Tourigny, these are essential components for success at the NHL level.
The coach further explained that mastering the professional game involves a deeper understanding beyond raw talent. "They need to learn the ins and outs of the game," Tourigny said, elaborating that this means "reading the play and being one play ahead all the time." He acknowledged that many players arrive in professional hockey due to exceptional talent but often haven't yet learned "those little things that make you play connected with your teammates." This development period in the AHL is intended to bridge that gap, allowing them to integrate more seamlessly into a team structure.
Despite these developmental needs, Tourigny expressed strong confidence in the prospects' ability to progress quickly. He described both Iginla and Desnoyers as "two smart kids, two hard-working kids, two driven kids," suggesting they possess the essential attributes for rapid learning and advancement within the professional system.
In addition to these prospect assignments, the Mammoth also made other roster adjustments. The team placed three players on waivers, including veteran forward Brandon Tanev. These roster decisions are being made as the Utah Mammoth prepares for its final preseason game. The team is scheduled to play against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
With the regular season rapidly approaching, the Mammoth organization is focused on finalizing its opening-night lineup. The ongoing roster adjustments, including both assignments and waivers, reflect the team's commitment to building a competitive squad for the season ahead.
