Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
KEARNS — Maveric Lamoureux smiled as he proudly ran his hands over his chin. The 20-year-old defenseman had grown out some new (not to mention subtle) facial hair.
"That's the only thing I can grow, so I'm trying my best," he said, laughing. "People told me I look a bit older with that."
The usually baby-faced Lamoureux probably feels like he needs to mature rather quickly.
Four games into his professional hockey career, he's moving on up. Lamoureux was in his apartment in Tucson, Arizona, late Tuesday when he got some life-altering news: the young prospect was headed to show.
Utah HC recalled the 20-year-old defenseman from the AHL, giving one of the organization's top prospects his first crack at the NHL.
"I didn't think I would be called up right away — that quick; but being here is amazing," he said, sporting a smile that refused to leave. "Everyone wants to be here, so the fact that I am here already means a lot. Am I going to play or not? I don't know. I really hope I do, but if I don't, just to gain this experience is amazing for me."
He boarded a flight at 6 a.m. on Wednesday to Salt Lake City, and a few hours later he was skating at the Utah Olympic Oval in his first NHL practice. Lamoureux joins a team that needs some defensive reinforcements after defensemen John Marino (lower back) and Sean Durzi (shoulder) both recently underwent surgery and will be out for much of the season.
Those injuries opened up a window for Lamoureux to get a shot with the big club.
Lamoureux was drafted in the first round in the 2022 draft, but a pair of shoulder surgeries have slowed his development. He remembers keeping himself ready with leg workouts and putting on weight with extra meals.
"But I had to eat to get bigger," he said. "So it was a lot of eating and a lot of leg workouts, that's for sure."
Even with the long rehab, those setbacks did nothing to dim his smile. He now feels all that work and patience has paid off. His shoulders — he had surgery on each one — are healthy again, and he's now a coach's decision away from playing in his first NHL game.
"I got like four hours of sleep, and that's pretty much it," he said while beaming. "But I look like I slept the whole night. I'm just really happy to be here."
Even with his youth, head coach André Tourigny believes that Lamoureux can add some things to the club. He praised the young defenseman's size (he's 6 foot 7), his skating ability, and how he moves the puck.
As for Lamoureux, he said he just wants to keep things simple — make quick passes, jump in during rush attempts, and be strong in the defensive zone. In the end, he just wants to show Utah coaches that they can trust him.
There isn't a concrete plan for Lamoureux just yet. Is this a short-term call-up or will his play force Utah to keep him around? Time will tell; but, for now, Tourigny wants him to take in the experience.
"I want him to enjoy the day," Tourigny said. "There's one chance to play your first game in the NHL; that will never happen again, so we'll see what the decision will be."
Lamoureux, though, can't help but visualize that moment, even if he's unsure when — or even if — it will come.
"It's definitely like a dream coming true," he said. "I probably won't sleep a lot during the night and probably my nap won't be long. I'm probably going to be stressed a bit, too, but when I step on the ice for that first time … I'm just going to be happy to put on that jersey and play for Utah."
