Karel Vejmelka is putting together the kind of stretch that makes you sit up and take notice - and the NHL just did. The Utah Mammoth goaltender has been named the league’s Third Star for the week ending January 18, a well-earned nod after a dominant run between the pipes.
Let’s break down what Vejmelka’s been doing lately: three games, three wins, including his league-leading 23rd victory of the season in a Saturday showdown against Seattle. That win capped off a perfect week and extended his personal win streak to six straight - matching both his season high and the longest streak of his NHL career.
And he’s not just winning; he’s locking it down at home. Vejmelka now has six consecutive wins at the Delta Center, where he’s posted a stingy 1.66 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage since December 21.
In 2026 alone, he’s off to a blistering start - a 7-1-0 record with a 2.00 GAA and .922 SV% across his first eight appearances of the new year. That kind of consistency isn’t just impressive, it’s historic.
With his 20th win of the season coming against St. Louis on January 9, Vejmelka joined elite company.
He became just the second Czech-born goaltender in NHL history to lead the league in wins during a season, joining the legendary Dominik Hašek, who pulled off the feat in back-to-back campaigns with Buffalo in the late ’90s.
At 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds, Vejmelka has been a steady, imposing presence in net for Utah all season. Through 37 appearances, he’s racked up a 23-11-2 record with a 2.55 GAA, a .902 save percentage, and one shutout.
But his impact stretches beyond just this season. Since February 19, 2025, no NHL goalie has more wins (36) or games played (61) than Vejmelka.
That kind of workload - and success - speaks volumes about his durability and value to this Mammoth squad.
He’s also set to take the international stage next month, representing Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Considering his current form, that’s a massive boost for his national team.
This is the first time Vejmelka has earned a spot among the NHL’s weekly Three Stars, and he becomes just the fourth player in Utah Mammoth franchise history to receive the honor. He joins Dylan Guenther (First Star, Oct. 14, 2024), Barrett Hayton (Third Star, Jan. 27, 2025), and Logan Cooley (Second Star, Oct. 27, 2025) on that short but growing list.
Rounding out this week’s Three Stars are Buffalo’s Tage Thompson and Nashville’s Roman Josi - both big names, and now Vejmelka’s right there with them. Given the way he’s playing, don’t be surprised if this isn’t the last time we see his name among the NHL’s weekly elite.