Pittsburgh Bond Reunites Cooley and Trocheck in Utah

Logan Cooley and Vincent Trocheck trained together in Pittsburgh years before they became NHL teammates. On Thursday, they are scheduled to share the ice for the first practice of Utah Mammoth training camp.

Trocheck grew up with one of Cooley's cousins, and their families remained close. Cooley said he first met Trocheck when he was about 8 and began joining his summer skates a few years later. By his mid-teens, Cooley was training with Trocheck and other professional players.

Trocheck said Cooley's NHL potential was apparent early. He described the 22-year-old as an exceptional skater and puck-handler who also brings a gritty Pittsburgh edge.

Utah acquired Trocheck from the New York Rangers on July 1 in exchange for Sean Durzi, prospect Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick. The 33-year-old center has played 56 NHL playoff games, reached the conference final with New York in 2024 and helped the United States win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Mammoth also signed veteran forward Anders Lee to a three-year, $16.2 million contract on July 1. Cooley said adding Trocheck and Lee should help a young Utah team that reached the playoffs last season.

Cooley had 43 points on 24 goals and 19 assists in 54 games last season, missing 28 games with a lower-body injury. He recorded three points in Utah's first three playoff games against Vegas but was held without a point in the final three losses.

Cooley said the series showed him the need for another option when opponents take away his first plan. Trocheck's experience and familiarity with Cooley give Utah another resource as the Mammoth try to advance beyond the first round.