Kevin Rooney’s Rediscovered NHL Dream: From Free Agent to Utah Mammoth Recall

Kevin Rooney’s summer of determination before the Tucson Roadrunners stint

The months between seasons are typically when NHL players recharge and spend time with their families. For Rooney, the 2025 offseason became a test of mental fortitude and professional determination. After appearing in 70 games for the Calgary Flames during the 2024-25 season and recording 10 points—the third-best total of his career—Rooney expected at least some interest on the free agent market. Instead, he found himself without a contract as training camps began opening across the league.

Rather than accepting retirement or considering overseas options immediately, Rooney committed to a disciplined training regimen. “I’m lucky,” Rooney explained to media. “My family and my circle back home were there for me. I tried to go to the gym and go to the rink every day with a purpose: to get better, to prove people wrong, and to prove to people that I can still play even though I’m a little bit older.”

The daily grind included on-ice sessions, strength training, and maintaining game conditioning despite having no guarantee of where—or if—he would play. Rooney worked out with fellow NHL player John Marino during the summer months, staying connected to the professional hockey community while preparing his body for another NHL campaign. This self-directed training camp would prove essential when opportunity finally knocked.

By early September, Rooney’s persistence earned him a professional tryout offer from the New Jersey Devils, an organization where he had spent five seasons earlier in his career. The PTO represented exactly what he’d been working toward—a chance to showcase that he could still compete at hockey’s highest level. In three preseason games with the Devils, Rooney recorded one assist and demonstrated that his skating and hockey IQ remained NHL-caliber, even as the league continued trending younger and faster.

The path from waiver wire to the Tucson Roadrunners roster

Rooney’s preseason performance with New Jersey didn’t result in an NHL roster spot with the Devils, but it accomplished something equally important: it reminded NHL executives that he could still contribute. On the eve of the 2025-26 season, the Utah Mammoth signed Rooney to a one-year, two-way contract, giving the veteran forward the lifeline he’d been seeking.

However, the contract came with immediate assignment to the Tucson Roadrunners, Utah’s AHL affiliate. For many players, this would feel like a demotion, but Rooney understood the reality of his situation. General manager Bill Armstrong was transparent about expectations during their initial conversation. “He was very transparent, right when I signed, calling me and letting me know what he expected of me,” Rooney recalled. “Come down and try to be a leader in the locker room. Play hard, and good things will come. Injuries happen, so you just have to be ready for your chance.”

Before heading to Tucson, Rooney did his homework. He reached out to teammates from his Providence College days, including current Mammoth forward Brandon Tanev, who had been his roommate and whose championship-winning goal Rooney had assisted on during their college careers. He also connected with John Marino and other players around the league who had experience with the Utah organization and the Tucson market.

The assignment to Tucson also meant continued separation from his family and an extended stay in hotel rooms—a reality Rooney had been experiencing since signing his PTO with New Jersey on September 3. Despite the personal challenges, Rooney embraced his role with the Roadrunners, knowing that his performance in the AHL would determine whether he’d get another shot at the NHL.

Immediate impact: Kevin Rooney’s explosive start with the Tucson Roadrunners

When the puck dropped on the Roadrunners’ 2025-26 season opener against the Ontario Reign, Rooney wasted no time demonstrating his value. With just 29 seconds remaining in regulation and Tucson trailing, Rooney scored the game-tying goal, keeping his team’s hopes alive. Linemate Sammy Walker would go on to win the game in overtime, but Rooney’s clutch performance set the tone for what would become a remarkable four-game stretch.

Head coach Steve Potvin placed Rooney on a line with Walker and rookie Daniil But, creating immediate chemistry. Over his first four games with the Roadrunners, Rooney tallied three goals and one assist for four points while playing the hard-nosed, defensively responsible game that has defined his career. His linemates also thrived—Walker recorded five points in those same four games, while the young But added three points as he adjusted to North American professional hockey.

Rooney’s experience proved invaluable for the developing But, who was still learning English and adapting to the cultural differences of playing in North America. “But is a young guy, still learning the language,” Rooney said. “We’re trying to help him the best we can, but he’s done a great job. It’s not easy for a guy like that to come over and succeed right away, so we’re very happy with the way he’s been playing, and we’ll just keep working with him, trying to help him as best we can so he can get to the next level.”

Two of those first four games came against the Calgary Wranglers, the AHL affiliate of the Flames team that had declined to bring Rooney back. The personal motivation was evident in Rooney’s play and his comments afterward. “It feels great to get some points against a team that didn’t really want you,” Rooney admitted, capturing the emotional undertone of his strong start.

The recall: Kevin Rooney’s Tucson Roadrunners NHL call-up to Utah

On October 23, 2025, just four games into his AHL stint, Rooney received the call he’d been working toward since early May. The Utah Mammoth recalled him from the Tucson Roadrunners in advance of a four-game road trip through the Midwest. In a corresponding move, the team assigned Andrew Agozzino to Tucson after he cleared waivers, making room for Rooney on the NHL roster.

The timing of the Kevin Rooney Tucson Roadrunners NHL call-up aligned perfectly with Utah’s need for a defensively reliable bottom-six forward who could contribute on special teams. Rooney’s reputation as a penalty kill specialist and faceoff specialist made him an ideal candidate when the Mammoth needed organizational depth. His four-point performance in Tucson simply accelerated a recall that might have been inevitable given his skill set.

For Rooney, the promotion meant returning to the NHL after just 18 days in the AHL—a remarkably quick turnaround that validated his summer training and his strong start with the Roadrunners. It also meant more time in hotels and away from his family, though he’d been preparing to finally move into an apartment in Tucson. “I’m moving into my new place soon,” Rooney had said just before the recall. “I’m really excited to get out of the hotel. It’s been a long time in the hotel since September 3.”

Those plans would have to wait. Instead, Rooney packed his bags once again and headed to join the Mammoth for their road trip, ready to prove that his NHL days were far from over. Head coach Steve Potvin, while happy to see his player get the opportunity, acknowledged that Rooney probably belonged at the higher level all along. “He’s been great, and he fits in with our group,” Potvin said. “He’s one of those guys who finds enjoyment in the game, and it’s a pleasure to be around him. Our guys are definitely going to appreciate being around him, and he’s going to help our team grow.”

What Kevin Rooney brings to the Utah Mammoth lineup

For fans unfamiliar with Rooney’s playing style, the 32-year-old center brings exactly what bottom-six units need: reliability, physicality, and defensive responsibility. Over his 330-game NHL career spanning stints with the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, and Calgary Flames, Rooney has compiled 60 points while establishing himself as a trustworthy penalty killer and fourth-line contributor.

Rooney’s game isn’t built around offensive flash or highlight-reel goals. Instead, he excels in the unglamorous aspects that often determine close games. His faceoff ability gives his team possession advantages, particularly in defensive zone draws late in games. His physical play and willingness to engage in board battles make him effective in wearing down opposing defenses. His positioning and hockey IQ make him a valuable penalty kill asset, capable of reading plays and blocking shooting lanes.

“I want to continue to be a hard-nosed guy, a guy that’s going to lead by example,” Rooney said when asked about his approach with the Mammoth. “I want to be really good on the penalty kill, help the team in the face-off dot, and try to chip in offensively. It’s been a good start, but I want to continue to work at it. I know there are areas of my game, I need to continue to get better at to keep improving.”

What makes Rooney particularly valuable for a developing franchise like the Utah Mammoth is his veteran leadership and professional approach. Having played for three NHL organizations and navigated the challenges of being a depth player in a youth-focused league, Rooney brings perspective that can’t be taught. His work ethic and refusal to give up on his career set an example for younger players on the roster who may face their own adversity down the road.

The Kevin Rooney Tucson Roadrunners NHL call-up story will serve as inspiration for other players fighting to extend their careers and chase their dreams, no matter how long it takes.

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Kevin Rooney’s path from free agent limbo through the Tucson Roadrunners to an NHL recall represents everything that’s right about hockey’s competitive culture. His refusal to accept that his career was over at 32, his commitment to daily training without any guarantee of a contract, and his immediate impact when given an opportunity demonstrate the power of persistence and professionalism.