Trocheck set for Utah debut as Frondell centres Kane and Bertuzzi

Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee are set to make their Utah Mammoth debuts against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Delta Center. Utah opens its 2026–27 season at 9:30 p.m. ET, while Chicago will put Anton Frondell between Patrick Kane and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Utah's captain Clayton Keller enters the season after recording 88 points — 26 goals and 62 assists — in 82 games last season. Dylan Guenther can score in Utah's season opener for a third straight year, a feat only three players have achieved at the start of a franchise's history. The Mammoth are coming off their first playoff appearance, which ended against Vegas.

Kane moved onto the line during Tuesday's 5-2 loss at Vegas after Andrew Mangiapane left in the second period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Frondell said the trio generated scoring opportunities in their brief time together and hoped to build on that against Utah. Bertuzzi has played alongside him since the start of training camp, after also skating with him late last season.

The 19-year-old, selected third overall by Chicago in the 2025 NHL Draft, recorded three goals and six assists in 12 NHL games last season. Against Vegas on Tuesday, he played 17:40, had one shot on goal and won three of six faceoffs.

Coach Jeff Blashill said Frondell improved as training camp progressed. Thursday gives the young centre another chance to establish his game, now with Kane on his right wing.