How goal-setting made the Mammoth a playoff team

Utah Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong speaks with media at a press conference discussing the 2025 NHL Draft, at the Asher Adams Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 27, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News When the then-Utah Hockey Club arrived in Salt Lake City, GM Bill Armstrong frequently used the phrase “meaningful hockey” to describe the team’s goal for Year 1. He wanted to set a reasonable expectation without over-promising anything to the new fan base.

If his squad could still be hanging around the playoff race in April, the season would be deemed a success, regardless of whether playoff hockey came to the Delta Center. The expectation for Year 2 was a bit higher, as it should be. This time, the team needed to actually make the playoffs — and for the second season in a row, the group accomplished its goal.

That begs the obvious question: What is the Utah Mammoth’s goal for Year 3? Logically, getting to the second round would be a sure indication of growth. While Armstrong would love to achieve that, it won’t be his measuring stick for success.

Instead, it’s about gaining more playoff experience — learning to win, as they say. That comes through a combination of winning and pain. “There’s a fine line in our sport between winning or losing,” Armstrong said in his exit interview at the Mammoth Ice Center Tuesday afternoon.