Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Mammoth have suffered a significant blow as center Logan Cooley is expected to miss at least eight weeks with a lower-body injury. The injury occurred on December 5th during the Mammoth's 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks when Cooley crashed into the net, his left leg colliding with the right post.
General Manager Bill Armstrong announced the timeline for Cooley's recovery on Thursday, confirming the team's worst fears. The loss of Cooley is a major setback for the Mammoth, who are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Central Division.
The incident occurred with under five minutes remaining in the third period. Cooley was on a partial breakaway when Quinn Hughes pressured him, causing Cooley to lose his balance and his knee to make contact with the post. Hughes received a two-minute holding penalty on the play. Cooley remained on the bench for the ensuing power play but was later revealed to have sustained a significant injury.
Cooley, 21, has been a key player for the Mammoth this season, leading the team in goals with 14 and accumulating 23 points in 29 games. Drafted third overall by the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Cooley has quickly become one of the league's rising stars. In late October, he signed an eight-year contract extension worth $80 million.
The injury not only impacts the Mammoth's playoff aspirations but also likely ends Cooley's chances of representing the United States at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan.
Utah has struggled since Cooley's injury, losing all three games without their star center. The team's inability to win without Cooley has raised concerns about the team's depth and overall resilience. Coach's job security has also come into question.
The Mammoth will need to find a way to replace Cooley's offensive production and maintain their position in the standings during his absence. The team may consider exploring trade options to bolster their roster and address their center depth.
If Cooley is sidelined for eight weeks, he would be out until the Olympic break in early February. He could potentially return when the season resumes later in the month. However, the team will be cautious and ensure Cooley is fully recovered before he returns to the lineup.
The Mammoth's next few games will be a critical test of their ability to overcome adversity and compete without their star player. The team will need contributions from other players to step up and fill the void left by Cooley's absence.
