Mammoth’s Adam Valentini Not Letting Numbers Get In the Way of His NHL Dream

Most draft experts had him being drafted in the second round. Some even had him being drafted in the first round. However, come the late picks in the third round, Adam Valentini was still sitting in the stands in Buffalo, waiting for his name to be called. Finally, with a draft pick they had acquired nearly three years ago, the Utah Mammoth drafted the Michigan forward 96th overall.

Being passed up on and overlooked isn’t something Valentini hasn’t dealt with before. In fact, it’s something he’ll probably have to do for the rest of his life because his height is under 6 feet. However, just like the slot where he was drafted, it’s just a number for Valentini. At the end of the day, ending up in the NHL is what matters for the forward, and eventually, showing Mammoth fans what he told them he’ll do, willing to do anything to win.

A Big Bet Becomes a Big Reward

Numbers can waver people’s confidence. However, it doesn’t matter to a guy with high confidence in himself, and Valentini is that person with great confidence.

It showed last season when he decided to leave the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he had produced 39 points in 58 games with the Chicago Steel, and go to college. Going to the NCAA isn’t always an easy choice. The play is harder and more physical than in other developmental leagues. You’re often playing against the best of the best, and it showed this year, with over half of the players drafted in the first round being either present or future NCAA players.

Not only did Valentini decide to go to the NCAA, but he also committed to Michigan, a legendary hockey program that is amidst a lengthy NCAA title drought. A program that has made the Frozen Four three times in the past five years. If you’re not playing at your best, it can turn ugly. However, it was a bet Valentini made on himself, knowing that playing college would be the best way to improve and be ready for the NHL.

“I thought it was the right decision for me,” Valentini said. “I thought I could prove myself against older players, and knowing that’ll help me in the long run make the jump to the NHL.”

Ultimately, it was a home run choice. Valentini produced 27 points in 40 games, which was the sixth best on Michigan’s crowded roster with players like Michael Hage and Will Horcoff. It was also the highest production among freshmen on the team. He was a big part of the power play, which was among the best in the NCAA.

As mentioned, while the NCAA is a much more challenging league, it’s a much more rewarding one as well. It prepares you more for the NHL. Every game feels like a big one when you’re trying to stay as high as you can in the rankings. You’re also playing those games consistently against colleges like Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Western Michigan, all of which were ranked. That experience playing against top teams and prospects, along with older, more experienced players, will help Valentini not just in the short term, but for his future NHL career as well.

“I’m playing against a lot of older guys,” Valentini said. “Some guys are getting married, and all them got beards. It’s a different game. I feel like every game’s a playoff game, and learning to play that style in tight games, I felt like I learned a lot, and my game fully developed. Every aspect of my game got better, especially in the D zone.”

While Michigan’s season ended in heartbreak as the team lost in double overtime in the semifinals to Denver, Valentini still enjoyed his first year in college. The forward learned a lot that will help in his sophomore season with Michigan.

“It was one of the best years of my life, and what helped me was my hard work, playing with really good players, and really good people,” Valentini said. “We had a really good year and try to keep building on that.”

Numbers Aren’t Everything

Just a few hours after he was drafted in Buffalo, Valentini was whisked away to his new home in Salt Lake City for development camp. For almost a full week, the forward got to explore the city and the facilities and meet his new teammates. He did already know his fellow 2026 first-round pick, Ethan Belchetz, from playing with him on Team Canada during the Hilinka Gretzky World Cup. However, he also got to meet guys like Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers, who will likely play in the NHL with him.

Valentini’s first impressions of the Mammoth and Utah were positive. The strong culture of winning together that the team is proud of doesn’t end when the season ends. It’s instilled in players even from the moment they’re drafted, and it’s something Valentini saw. Plus, living in Utah has some pretty big advantages as well.

“Since I got here, I’ve loved it here,” Valentini said. “I love the mountains. They want to have an environment that’s good guys only, and I believe that that’s how you’re gonna win, and I really believe in that.”

Throughout the camp, management and fans alike got their first view of what Valentini does well. The first noticeable thing is his shot. It’s a quick one and one that is precise and accurate. However, Valentini doesn’t just shoot well. His passing is fantastic, which is why he thrived alongside Belchetz at the Hilinka Gretzky tournament and Hage in Michigan.

First look at Adam Valentini at development camp today. He’s displaying his nice shot against Carl Axelsson. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/gvQJPQaASl

— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) June 29, 2026

Valentini is also really good in his own zone. He’s responsible, has good hockey IQ, and is very competitive. He’s always willing to get into the dirty areas and try to win puck battles. Overall, Valentini is a player who knows how to operate and compete in all 200 feet of the ice. He does so many big and small things well to the point where his height doesn’t give him a disadvantage.

“He has a good shot, good offensive instincts,” director of player development Lee Stempniak said. “What I like about him is he’s not small, but for his size, compared to other prospects on the smaller side, he’s competitive, and he’s always around it. He goes in there, gets involved in the play, he competes, wins pucks back for himself, battles for pucks, and he’s a guy you don’t really need to look for.”

As one of the youngest players in college at 17, those are good traits to have. If he continues to improve and grow as an overall player, Valentini’s height won’t even come close to preventing him from being an NHL player.

For now, Valentini heads back to Michigan for his sophomore season with hopes of an NCAA championship. Michigan did commit some excellent prospects like Landon DuPont, Jack Nesbitt, and Cam Reid, as the whole conference continues recruiting high talent, including Michigan State bringing in Belchetz. That will give Valentini some competition for getting a spot in the top six.

However, just like he’s done before, Valentini isn’t backing down from that challenge. He bet on himself by committing to Michigan. Instead of possibly committing to another college with not as deep a roster, the forward is continuing to have confidence in himself by going into camp and trying to earn a top roster spot. That confidence is what attracted the Mammoth to Valentini in the first place, and it’s something that they continue to be impressed by.

“Here’s a kid that bet on himself, went to Michigan a year early as a pure 17-year-old, which there are only two or three in the whole league that were like that, and he did well. He showed character. We met him at the combine, and you can tell right away that he’s a very confident person, and when you’re that size, you better be confident. He is, and that was why we thought for the third round, it’s a really good swing.”

Valentini knows he’ll be judged forever because of his height, and it showed in his draft position. I will not deter him from achieving his dreams of being in the NHL. He is very confident in his abilities and his play. It shows on the ice and just by talking to the forward, despite his just turning 18 three months ago.

At the end of the day, his height and his age. Valentini doesn’t care. They are all just numbers. His draft position? It doesn’t matter because he was drafted into the NHL regardless. He’ll let his play and skill speak for him in training camp as he chases down his dream.

“It’s a number,” Valentini said. “Everyone’s trying to compete for a job, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

If Valentini continues to do what he does best, all of those numbers won’t matter. When he’s ready, don’t be surprised if he comes out of nowhere and steals an NHL roster spot. After all, he is willing to do anything, whatever it takes, to be the best player he can be.