The Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman Nate Schmidt to a three-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.5 million. The team announced the signing on Tuesday afternoon.
Schmidt, 33, is coming off a season with the Florida Panthers where he won the 2025 Stanley Cup. During the 2024-25 regular season, he tallied five goals and 19 points in 80 games, averaging 16:32 of ice time. In the playoffs, Schmidt played a pivotal role on the team's No. 2 power-play unit, contributing three goals and 12 points in 23 games while averaging 16:16 of ice time.
"We are excited that Nate and his wife, Allie, have chosen Utah," said Chris Armstrong, president of hockey operations for the Utah Mammoth. "Nate's depth of playoff experience and most recent impact in helping the Florida Panthers to win the 2025 Stanley Cup complements our group of existing veterans extremely well. He will play a big role in helping to move our team forward this coming season".
General Manager Bill Armstrong also expressed his enthusiasm about the signing. "Nate is an efficient defenseman and we are very pleased to have him join the organization," said Armstrong. "He has a great work ethic and will be an excellent role model for our younger players. He's a warrior who played a key role in...".
Schmidt, an undrafted player, began his NHL career with the Washington Capitals in the 2013-14 season after a successful three-year collegiate career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He played parts of four seasons in Washington before being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Schmidt recorded at least 30 points in each of his three seasons with Vegas, though the team lost to his former team in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.
After the 2019-20 season, the Golden Knights traded Schmidt to the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick. He was then traded to the Winnipeg Jets after just one year in Vancouver, again for a third-round pick. Schmidt spent three seasons in Winnipeg as a bottom-pairing fixture before signing a one-year deal with Florida.
Throughout his 12-year NHL career, Schmidt has played 741 games with the Capitals, Golden Knights, Canucks, Jets, and Panthers, accumulating 52 goals and 239 points. He has also added 10 goals and 40 points in 99 career playoff games. His next assignment will be to assist Utah.
