The Mammoth have reassigned center Kevin Rooney to AHL Tucson, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports. It’s unclear what, if anything, they plan to do with the open roster spot in the coming days. Defenseman Sean Durzi is somewhat close to coming off injured reserve, but won’t do so until next week at the earliest, head coach André Tourigny said.
Utah signed Rooney to a two-way deal at the beginning of the regular season. The seven-year vet went unsigned throughout the summer until landing a professional tryout with the Devils, who first brought him into the league as an undrafted free agent signing out of Providence College in 2016. Rooney managed a goal and an assist in three preseason games for New Jersey but was ultimately released from his PTO, passed over for a fourth-line job by fellow tryout invite Luke Glendening.
Rooney quickly landed on his feet with the Mammoth and was technically on their opening night roster, although he was waived the following day. Upon clearing, he was sent to Tucson, where he spent the first two weeks of the campaign. The 32-year-old came roaring out of the gate with three goals and an assist in four AHL games before being called up to the Mammoth on Oct. 23, swapping him out for fellow journeyman veteran Andrew Agozzino.
Rooney was around as the second healthy extra forward behind enforcer Liam O’Brien. Utah’s health up front over the past few weeks meant Rooney never actually got into a game during his 22-day call-up, serving as a healthy scratch in 10 straight games. Utah had eight days left until Rooney would have required waivers to head back to Tucson, so with him not playing a meaningful role, they’ll get out ahead of the deadline and give their minor-league affiliate a significant reinforcement.