The Utah Mammoth have signed rookie goaltender Sebastian Cossa to a two-year contract extension worth $2 million annually, positioning the young netminder to serve as the primary backup for the 2026-27 season. Cossa, acquired via a draft-day trade in June, joins a franchise that has undergone significant rebranding since its inception, transitioning from the Utah Hockey Club to the Mammoth following a massive fan vote.
Cossa's Role and Development
Sebastian Cossa enters the upcoming season with a significant pay raise, as his new deal more than doubles the annual value of his previous entry-level contract. Despite having limited NHL experience—consisting of only two periods, one overtime, and a shootout—Cossa has been widely touted as a future star since being selected 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft.
A Long-Term Interest in Cossa
Utah general manager Bill Armstrong expressed confidence in the rookie, noting that Cossa has accumulated sufficient experience in the American Hockey League (AHL) to make the jump to the NHL. According to Armstrong, Cossa's age makes this the ideal time for him to take the next step in his professional career.
The Search for a Backup
The interest in Cossa within the Utah organization predates the existence of the Mammoth franchise. Randy Hansch, a scout for the Utah staff, previously served as the general manager for the Edmonton Oil Kings, the team that selected Cossa as a 14-year-old in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. While Utah used its only first-round pick in 2021 on another Oil King, Dylan Guenther, the organization has maintained its focus on the goaltender and moved to secure him as soon as he became available.
Rookie Success in the NHL
The Mammoth's search for a stable backup has been described as a revolving door, but the team expects stability this season with Cossa and starting goaltender Karel Vejmelka both signed to multi-year deals. This stability comes at a time when rookie goaltenders have seen significant success in the NHL, with several recent prospects making major impacts for teams like the Montreal Canadiens and the Minnesota Wild.
Cossa's Ambitions
While Cossa faces competition for rookie accolades, he is not eligible for the $250,000 bonus associated with an all-rookie team nomination because he is currently on his second contract. However, he joins a class of potential candidates including Gavin McKenna, Porter Martone, and Anton Frondell. Cossa has stated his primary focus is simply to prove he belongs in the league and to help win hockey games.
The Mammoth Rebrand
The team's recent success and identity are tied to its unique naming process. In May 2025, the Utah Hockey Club officially rebranded as the Utah Mammoth after a fan vote that garnered 850,000 responses. This decision followed a series of four rounds of voting to determine the identity of the Salt Lake City-based franchise.
NHL Naming Traditions
The Mammoth's rebranding was part of a broader trend in the NHL, where nearly half of the league's current teams selected their names through fan input. Other examples include the Los Angeles Kings, who selected their name in 1966, and the Philadelphia Flyers, who also adopted their name via fan vote in 1966.
