Karel Vejmelka signed a five-year contract with the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 28-year-old goalie is 17-16-4 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 39 games (36 starts) for Utah. He could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
"This is great news for me, because I really desired to stay in Utah," Vejmelka said after he made 38 saves in a 4-2 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. "It's a great group of guys, so the biggest thing on my mind was to stay here and be part of this great group. This is like a second family for me."
Vejmelka is in the final year of a three-year, $8.175 million contract ($2.725 average annual value) he signed on March 21, 2022.
"Karel has been integral to the success of our team this season," Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. "He is a talented goaltender that competes every night he takes the net and has solidified one of the most critical positions on our team. We are thrilled to have Karel signed for the next five years."
A fifth-round selection (No. 145) by the Nashville Predators in the 2015 NHL Draft, Vejmelka is 61-91-15 with a 3.26 GAA, .901 save percentage and six shutouts in 179 games (167 starts) for Utah and the Arizona Coyotes.
"It's obviously a great day for our organization to have those guys back," Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. "'Veggie' is having a great season and he's had a huge impact on our season. [Kerfoot] and [Cole] -- that's a lot of leadership. I would call them unsung heroes. Our team defensively has had a huge improvement this year, because of those kind of guys."
The signing comes one day after forward Alexander Kerfoot and defenseman Ian Cole each signed a one-year contract with Utah. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Each could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Kerfoot has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 62 games this season and is tied for first among Utah forwards in blocked shots (46).
Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Kerfoot has 281 points (94 goals, 187 assists) in 586 regular-season games with the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Coyotes and Utah. He also has 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 48 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"We are very pleased for Alex to remain in Utah," Armstrong said. "Alex is an important leader for our group with his versatility on the ice and leadership on the ice, and we look forward to having his continued contribution as we fight down the stretch to make the playoffs."
Cole has 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 62 games this season and is second the NHL with 162 blocked shots, behind Jacob Trouba of the Anaheim Ducks (165). He is tied for first among Utah defensemen with 74 hits.
Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 18) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Cole has 206 points (35 goals, 171 assists) in 888 regular-season games with the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Utah. The 36-year-old has 31 points (three goals, 28 assists) in 129 playoff games, including winning the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
"We are thrilled to have Ian back for another season," Armstrong said. "Ian's championship pedigree, work ethic and leadership on and off the ice are valuable assets to our group, and we're thrilled to have him remain with our organization as we fight for a playoff spot."
