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Vincent Trocheck reflects on Rangers, adjusting to new life in Utah
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- Vincent Trocheck reflects on Rangers, adjusting to new life in Utah
Since being traded by the New York Rangers to the Utah Mammoth on July 1, Vincent Trocheck spent much of his time figuring out what comes next.
The 33-year-old is still searching for a new place to live, looking into schools for his children, and learning more about his new organization. He's also had a chance to reflect on four years in New York that included a deep playoff run in 2024, playing home games at Madison Square Garden, and one of the most memorable outdoor games in Rangers history.
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Trocheck previously discussed why he removed Utah from his no-trade protection and what most attracted him to the Mammoth organization. Building on those comments, he opened up during a recent appearance on the NASHCAST podcast about the personal side of the move, the connections waiting for him in Utah, and what his time in New York with the Rangers meant to him and his family.
Trocheck reflects on time with Rangers, playing at 'coolest arena in world'
Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Before Trocheck ever called MSG home, it was already one of the buildings he looked forward to visiting most, when he played for the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes from 2014-22.
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"Playing at MSG was always, like, that's one you circle on your calendar," Trocheck told co-hosts Tyason Nash and Mike Folta. "You're like, this is going to be awesome. I'm going bucket off in warmups. I'm in New York City. Like, it's awesome."
After signing with the Rangers in the summer of 2022, Trocheck got to experience that atmosphere from the other side for four seasons.
"It's the coolest arena in the world," Trocheck explained. "And then you see the fans in the playoffs, especially. They're such diehards, and the arena gets bumping."
Trocheck helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2024, when he led them with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 16 postseason contests. Included among his clutch moments that spring was his double-overtime goal in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Hurricanes at The Garden.
Despite his heroics, the Rangers lost in six games to the Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in six games of the best-of-7 conference final. The Rangers haven't made the playoffs since, leading to the Trocheck trade as part of their retool.
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But the connections Vincent and his family made in New York remain, despite the protracted trade speculation and eventual move to Utah.
"To be able to do that once in my career for a few years, me and my family are very blessed to have been able to do it," Trocheck shared. "We loved the community there. It was a great four years for us."
One of his favorite Rangers memories, though, did not come at MSG. After going the first 12 years of his NHL career without playing in an outdoor game, Trocheck took part in the 2024 Stadium Series against the Islanders.
The Rangers trailed 4-1 at one point, then erased a 5-3 deficit late in the third period by scoring twice with the goalie pulled, before eventually winning 6-5 in overtime. Trocheck scored twice, had an assist, and was named the game's first star in front of nearly 80,000 fans at MetLife Stadium.
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"That was probably the coolest one, just because of the game and the atmosphere there, and the snowfall and everything kind of coming together," Trocheck said.
Trocheck navigating move to Salt Lake City
When the Panthers traded Trocheck to the Hurricanes during the 2019-20 season, his son Leo was only two years old, and daughter Riley had not yet been born. At that point, there was not much time to think about anything beyond packing up and leaving for Raleigh.
Now, with two school-age children, Trocheck has much more to consider making this big move out west. This time, though, the trade happened in the offseason, affording him and wife Hillary time to handle this significant underatking.
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"It's different now that my kids are older," Trocheck explained. "They're eight and five. So now, I'm thinking about schools, and my son plays youth hockey, so I'm thinking about that stuff."
For now, much of Trocheck's attention leans into learning more about Salt Lake City. Fortunately for Trocheck, he won't be walking into a completely unfamiliar room.
He skates with Logan Cooley during the summers in Pittsburgh and has already leaned on the 22-year-old Mammoth forward throughout this transition. But their connection goes back well before those offseason skates.
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Trocheck grew up close with the older sister of Cooley's cousin, Montreal Canadiens prospect LJ Mooney, and watched both players develop from a young age.
"I got to watch him and his cousin, LJ, grow up as hockey players," Trocheck said. "Since they were young, they would coerce on the ice with us. I'd be in the NHL, and they'd be embarrassing me at 10 to 12 years old. They've always been super skilled. So, to watch them grow into the players they've become is pretty special and pretty cool to see."
Trocheck also has previous connections with Utah forwards Clayton Keller , Lawson Crouse , and Michael Carcone , which helps as he enters a new chapter of his career.
He and Keller helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
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"When you win, it's contagious," Trohceck said. "You want to get back to that winning stage. So after winning a gold medal, you urge to get back to that spot."
Trocheck had also seen Utah's potential firsthand while playing against them with the Rangers. He specifically pointed to Keller, Cooley, Nick Schmaltz , and Dylan Guenther when discussing the Mammoth's speed and skill.
He believes he can bring a different element to that group as a physical, defensively responsible forward who is willing to handle the less glamorous parts of the game.
"To be able to come into this locker room and try to bring a different aspect to the game, it's exciting," Trocheck said. "I think we have a really good team."
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