Nate Schmidt has experienced a remarkable turnaround in his professional hockey career. Once dismissed as “damaged goods” following his buyout from the Winnipeg Jets, Schmidt revived his trajectory with the Florida Panthers, playing a key role in their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories during the 2024-25 season. Now, he embarks on a new chapter with the Utah Mammoth, fueled by a renewed passion for the sport and a determination to help lead his new team to success in the coming years.

A Veteran Champion Arrives in Utah

The Utah Mammoth have steadily bolstered their roster with experienced players who bring a winning pedigree. Names like Robert Bortuzzo, Kevin Stenlund, Ian Cole, and Olli Määttä highlight this influx of Stanley Cup champions. Among them, Nate Schmidt stands out not only for his playoff experience but also for his proven ability to contribute to young teams’ rapid ascents. Having never been drafted, Schmidt’s perseverance through the ranks, beginning with a standout college career at the University of Minnesota, laid the foundation for his professional journey.

Schmidt’s NHL career commenced with the Washington Capitals, where he gradually earned his place by splitting time between the Capitals and their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. By the 2015-16 season, he had secured a regular spot in the NHL lineup, aiding the Capitals in reaching the second playoff round twice, only to be halted by the Pittsburgh Penguins each time.

In 2017, Schmidt’s career took a pivotal turn when he was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft. The move to Vegas elevated his game; over 76 games, he achieved personal bests with 31 assists and 36 points and led the team in ice time. His performance was instrumental in propelling the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final during their inaugural season, where they ultimately fell to Schmidt’s former team, the Capitals.

Following two more solid years with Vegas, including a career-high nine goals in 2018-19 and a Western Conference Final appearance in 2020, Schmidt was unexpectedly traded to the Vancouver Canucks. His tenure in Vancouver lasted just one season before another trade sent him to the Winnipeg Jets. While Schmidt posted a respectable 32 points in his first Jets season, he endured two challenging years afterward, culminating in a buyout that placed his career at a crossroads.

Facing free agency at a low point, Schmidt was uncertain about his NHL future. He reflected on the unpredictability of the sport and the difficulty of sustaining a career at its tail end.

“I was blessed to be in Washington; we had a really good team with Presidents’ Trophy-winning teams,”

Schmidt remarked.

“Then going to the Final with Vegas in the first year, and then the conference finals. Then all of a sudden, you’re back into the murky middle of grinding it out, trying to get another year. I think what hit me more than anything is you just don’t know when your next chance is going to be, or if it’s your last chance. That was something that hit me the worst. Teams are going, we’ll get them next year. It’s like, you never know.”

Yet Schmidt’s decision to sign a modest one-year deal with the Florida Panthers reignited his career. He embraced his role on the team, contributing significantly during the regular season and playoffs and culminating in winning his first Stanley Cup. Beyond the on-ice success, Schmidt cherished the camaraderie within the team, enjoying moments of levity like card games and Dairy Queen runs during the postseason—a spirit he hopes to bring to Utah.

“It’s magical because you’re in a time where you’re only with the guys, you’re only playing hockey, you’re with the team,”

Schmidt explained.

“There’s really nothing else, all the outside stuff. It really gets blurry and hazy. You’re just off the rink, on the road, you’re in the team room, you’re hanging out watching guys play cards or whatever it may be. You’re just playing hockey like a young kid again. Guys are giving the extra 10 to 15 to 20% just to get an extra, and everything gets elevated to a point where it brings us a different energy to the rink. I really hope and I believe that Utah fans will be able to see that this year, because this team has a chance.”

Although Schmidt no longer commands top-pairing minutes, his defensive capabilities remain strong. Last season with the Panthers, he posted one of his lowest average ice times but remained effective in neutralizing opponents. The Mammoth plan to utilize Schmidt’s experience and skills strategically, perhaps pairing him with fellow veteran Ian Cole to strengthen the team‘s defense. His contributions on special teams, especially power plays, have been valuable, as evidenced by his playoff usage in Florida. His readiness to defend teammates aligns well with Utah’s need for physical presence, which is further enhanced by new acquisition Brandon Tanev.

Bill Armstrong, the Mammoth’s general manager, praised Schmidt’s skating and defensive acumen despite the defenseman’s age.

“I love Nate,”

Armstrong stated.

“We knew a lot of people inside our organization who vouched for him over the years and what he’s done. He’s an older veteran D man. He can come in and move the puck. He can transition with the puck. Even with his age, he’s one of the best skaters, and he continues to improve on that and become a better player. He’s another winner. I think we have 10 Cups in total now on our team, and that’s going to be a huge experience factor for us as we move forward and try and push to get in the playoffs.”

Schmidt arrives in Utah energized, eager to contribute, and happy to play hockey again. His final season with the Panthers was a crucial turning point, which allowed him to cast aside previous career burdens.

“What I wanted to do this last year, more than ever, was just enjoy playing hockey again,”

Schmidt said.

“If you feel like you still got a load on your shoulders, you’re getting paid this and doing that, man, that stuff started to break you down. Trying to take all that weight on at once, it just doesn’t work. I don’t think any player can really do it. You see with guys all the time in the league, sometimes a fresh start helps them rehab themselves, and this last year really helped for me as well.”

Reasons Behind Schmidt’s Decision to Join Utah

Approaching free agency with a young family—expecting a second child and with his son Harvey still a toddler—Schmidt sought stability where he could settle for the next several years. He viewed Utah as more than just a hockey destination; it was a place where his family could thrive amidst a growing community. He had admired the Mammoth organization since their relocation from Arizona and was drawn to their youthful core and developmental philosophy, which reminded him of the Panthers’ approach during his time with them.

“This is actually a team and an organization I’d circle for a couple of years, just recording in progress, what they’ve been building for a long time,”

Schmidt said.

“It mimics Florida and how they went through the draft. Have a bunch of guys kind of grow up together and then start to make noise later as they get older through their careers, and that’s where I see the scene. That was something that kind of excited me.”

Schmidt’s enthusiasm also stems from his love of the outdoors. As an avid fisherman, hunter, and hiker, the rugged landscapes of Utah appeal to his personal interests outside hockey. He will join a community of players who share those passions and values.

Schmidt is eager to reconnect with the excitement that comes with being part of a young, ascending franchise—a feeling he knows well from his time with the Golden Knights. He values community engagement and the support of energetic fans, which he finds invigorating rather than intimidating.

“I love the passion,”

Schmidt expressed.

“I love the excitement. I love that type of energy that people bring. The passion amongst fans like that doesn’t scare me away. That actually kind of brings me closer…That sense of being behind the team in that first real year. I had a similar feeling with the first year in Vegas. What it means to be in a city for the first time, and you’re navigating, how do we do things, and community engagement. Now, the second year is when you really start to ingrain yourself into the community, and that’s something I’m excited for.”

Reflecting on his previous matchups against the franchise when they were based in Arizona, Schmidt noted the significant growth he has observed. Whereas the team once struggled to be competitive, now the Mammoth play with a tenacity and intensity that commands respect. His recent experience with the Panthers, including close games against Utah both home and away, confirmed this progress.

“In Arizona, you just kind of went there, you played all your games, and you got your points, and you moved on,”

Schmidt recalled.

“This year, in the last year and a half or so, I felt like the team is a lot more spicy, with a little bit more on top of it, a lot more tenacious. Not just getting their power play points and screwing off, they’re much more in the game. I remember we went into Utah, the game was tight for most of the 60, and that’s the kind of attitude you need to have.”

Schmidt’s commitment to Utah hinges on the team’s competitiveness and potential for growth. Winning another Stanley Cup remains a driving goal. Motivated by the intoxicating nature of championship success, he has already resumed intense offseason training with the aim of returning to the pinnacle of the sport.

“This thing is burning,”

Schmidt said.

“I’m not gonna let this thing just be a one-and-done. I want to be able to be back there again. It’s too good not to share with people around you and the people who help get you there. It means a ton to not only me, but to everyone around you.”

The Mutual Benefits of Schmidt’s Signing for Both Defenseman and Team

Nate Schmidt’s move to Utah offers advantages for both him and the Mammoth. For Schmidt, the three-year commitment provides a stable home environment to raise his family and a supportive organization dedicated to winning. The Mammoth, in turn, gain a savvy, veteran defenseman who understands what it takes to compete at high levels and can mentor their young roster.

Off the ice, Schmidt is known for his positive demeanor and eagerness to connect with fans, particularly children. He places great value on these interactions, recognizing how impactful they were during his own development as a player.

“I try and take every interaction with kids as seriously as possible because I love that,”

Schmidt stated.

“I love that part of the game. That’s something that, as a young kid, coming up to a college player, NHL player, those are things you remember. Those are things that I remember when I was young. That’s probably something that I really cherish the most as a player.”

The past year for Schmidt and his family has been a whirlwind, taking him from the lowest professional point in his career to the heights of winning a Stanley Cup. Yet, the true highlight of this journey has been rediscovering his passion for hockey. As he begins this new chapter in Utah, Schmidt is ready to share that renewed energy and leadership with a community eager to witness their team’s rise.

“I love this game,” Schmidt said. I love playing.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What did Nate Schmidt test positive for?

A. On September 2, 2018, the NHL stated that Schmidt was suspended without pay due to testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. This 20-game suspension was unusual because Schmidt was only the fifth NHL player suspended for performance-enhancing drugs since the current collective bargaining agreement started in 2013.