Story Summary
Logan Cooley and Vincent Trocheck have a relationship that dates back to Cooley’s childhood in Pittsburgh. Trocheck, who is 11 years older, watched Cooley develop and skated with him regularly; they will be teammates for the Utah Mammoth as the club opens training camp. The pairing is part of a broader veteran infusion – including Anders Lee – the Mammoth hope will help a young core take the next step after a Western Conference First Round exit to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Key Facts
- Logan Cooley (22) and Vincent Trocheck (33) have known each other since Cooley was about 8, Cooley said. He has skated with Trocheck in the summer since he was about 10 or 12.
- Cooley and Trocheck often skated together growing up; Trocheck said he ” always kind of kept an eye on him” and believed early that Cooley would make the NHL.
- Cooley started skating with Trocheck and a group of pros ” probably when Cooley was 15 or 16,” according to Trocheck; Cooley said he was initially nervous about skating with pros but found them supportive.
- Cooley was selected No. 3 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.
- Cooley recorded 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games as an Arizona rookie in 2023-24, then 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 75 games for the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25.
- Cooley had 43 points (24 goals, 19 assists) in 54 games for the Mammoth last season, missing 28 games with a lower-body injury. That pace projects to 65 points (36 goals, 29 assists) over 82 games.
- In the Mammoth’s Western Conference First Round series with the Vegas Golden Knights, Cooley had three points (two goals, one assist) in three games as Utah led the series 2-1, then went without a point as Vegas won the final three games and the series.
- Vincent Trocheck’s NHL teams listed: Florida Panthers (2013-20), Carolina Hurricanes (2020-22) and New York Rangers (2022-26); Trocheck was acquired by Utah in a trade with the Rangers on July 1.
- Trocheck has played 56 NHL playoff games in his career and advanced as far as the conference final in 2024.
- Trocheck helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Anders Lee, age 36, signed a three-year, $16.2 million contract ($5.4 million average annual value) on July 1 and has played 46 NHL playoff games, advancing as far as the Eastern Conference Final with the New York Islanders in 2020.
IHM Discussion
The connection between Vincent Trocheck and Logan Cooley stretches back to Pittsburgh rinks, long before they became Utah teammates. Their familiarity adds a personal dimension as the Mammoth bring an experienced centre into a young group.
Trocheck’s assessment of Cooley is emphatic. He described Cooley as being” on another planet” skill-wise, while also praising how he thinks the game and competes. Cooley, meanwhile, acknowledged that the playoff series against Vegas showed him the importance of finding alternatives when opponents take away his first option.
Utah’s roster now includes Trocheck and Anders Lee alongside a core that experienced the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. Trocheck has played 56 NHL playoff games and Lee 46, bringing postseason experience to a group looking to build on last season’s first-round exit.
Why It Matters
The Mammoth are looking to build on their first playoff appearance. Cooley’s experience against Vegas illustrated the adjustments opponents can make against a young scoring centre, while Trocheck and Lee add substantial NHL playoff experience. Cooley also said the additions should help Utah, particularly by adding players who are comfortable working around the net.
Fan Pulse
The Pittsburgh connection gives the new Utah teammates an unusual shared history. Cooley’s early playoff production and subsequent scoreless finish to the Vegas series also underline the adjustment he described when opponents focus more closely on him.
Mini Q&A
How long have Logan Cooley and Vincent Trocheck known each other?
Trocheck said he has known Cooley since he was maybe 8; Cooley said he skated with Trocheck in the summer since he was about 10 or 12.
What are Cooley’s recent season scoring totals listed in the source?
Cooley had 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games as a rookie with Arizona in 2023-24; he had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 75 games for the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25; and 43 points (24 goals, 19 assists) in 54 games for the Mammoth last season, missing 28 games with a lower-body injury.
What experience do Trocheck and Anders Lee bring to Utah?
Trocheck has played 56 NHL playoff games, advanced as far as the conference final in 2024, helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and was acquired by Utah in a trade on July 1. Anders Lee has played 46 playoff games in his career, advanced as far as the Eastern Conference Final in 2020 with the New York Islanders and signed a three-year, $16.2 million contract ($5.4 million AAV) on July 1.
How did Cooley perform in the Mammoth’s recent first-round playoff series?
Cooley had three points (two goals, one assist) in three games as Utah took a 2-1 series lead, then went without a point as Vegas won the final three games and the series.
What is the next event mentioned in the source where Cooley and Trocheck will appear together?
They will take the ice as teammates on Thursday when the Utah Mammoth hold their first practice of training camp.
Coach Mark Comment
Cooley’s comments point to a familiar playoff challenge for skilled centres: opponents try to limit time and space and draw them away from their game. Utah’s task is to ensure its puck-possession game also creates traffic and options around the net, giving Cooley outlets when his first read is closed off.
What Comes Next
The immediate next checkpoint is the Mammoth’s first practice of training camp, when Cooley and Trocheck will take the ice as teammates on Thursday for Utah’s initial training-camp session, as noted.
IHM Final View
The Pittsburgh history between Cooley and Trocheck is more than a neat detail as they enter camp as Utah teammates. Cooley arrives with high-end production and a clear lesson from his first playoff series, while Trocheck and Lee bring extensive postseason experience. How that mix translates over the season will be one of the Mammoth’s key questions.