The Utah Mammoth have quietly held their ground this season, sitting at 27-20 and holding down fourth place in the Central Division. And while they’ve managed to stay in the mix, they’ve been doing it without one of their most dynamic young talents - Logan Cooley - who’s been sidelined since early December with a lower-body injury.
But there’s finally a sign of light at the end of the tunnel. Cooley was back on the ice with the team this week, sporting a blue non-contact jersey during practice.
It might not seem like much, but for a team that’s been missing his spark, it’s a big step. His return to the ice was met with the kind of welcome you’d expect - a round of stick taps from teammates, a simple but meaningful gesture that says: “We missed you.”
Before the injury, Cooley had been a key piece of the Mammoth’s early-season success. In 29 games, he put up 23 points - a solid pace for a player still carving out his role in the league.
He wasn’t just putting up numbers, though. He was driving play, creating chances, and giving the Mammoth the kind of offensive depth that’s hard to come by.
The team originally announced back on December 11 that Cooley would miss at least eight weeks, and we’re now right around that mark. While there’s still no official return date, the signs are pointing in the right direction.
Logan Cooley returns to the ice with the team for the first time wearing the blue non-contact jersey.
— Mike Folta (@mike_folta) January 26, 2026
Came out late into the skate to a chorus of stick-taps from his teammates. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/sw8BSWDiHl
General manager Bill Armstrong recently gave an encouraging update on Cooley’s recovery. “He’s doing great,” Armstrong said.
“He attacks it every single day, he’s in there working and making strides with it.” That kind of daily commitment - especially from a younger player - speaks volumes about Cooley’s mindset and maturity.
Armstrong also hinted at a potential return either just before or after the Olympic break, depending on how Cooley continues to progress. “He’s made huge strides,” Armstrong added. “I think there’s a point coming up that he’ll probably get back on the ice.”
For the Mammoth, getting Cooley back in the lineup could be a difference-maker down the stretch. They’ve managed to stay competitive without him, but his return could give them the extra push they need to solidify their playoff positioning - or even make a run.
Cooley brings speed, vision, and creativity to the ice - the kind of skill set that can tilt a game. And if he picks up where he left off, the Mammoth could be looking at a second-half surge.