Behind the Bench: André Tourigny Is Building More Than a Winning Team in Utah

Written By Gina Anton

When the Utah Mammoth began their first season in a new home, the franchise faced plenty of uncertainty. Five seasons into André Tourigny's tenure, however, the direction is becoming much clearer.

Tourigny signed a multiyear contract extension with the Mammoth in June, keeping the 52-year-old coach in Utah beyond next season. The decision is more than a commitment to a coach who has steadily improved the team. It signals that Tourigny has become a central part of the franchise's long-term identity.

His track record makes that decision easy to understand.

Tourigny has improved his team's point total in every season as an NHL head coach. This past season, Utah finished 43-33-6 with 92 points and reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the franchise's establishment in Utah.

The Mammoth ultimately fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in the Western Conference First Round, but simply reaching the postseason represented an important milestone for a franchise still establishing itself.

For Tourigny, it was another step forward.

“My family and I love being in Utah and look forward to deepening our roots here.”

That commitment matters for an organization still defining what it wants to become. Tourigny isn't simply coaching a team in a new market; he's helping establish its culture.

A Culture Built on Progress

Tourigny's most impressive achievement may be the consistency of that progress.

He is now one of only a handful of coaches in NHL history to improve his team's point total in each of his first five seasons. His record with the Mammoth and Arizona Coyotes stands at 170-195-45.

Utah has continued moving forward through the franchise's transition from Arizona to its new home, giving the organization something every young team needs: stability.

Now, the Mammoth know what they want their team to look like, and who they want leading it.

Building the Right Staff

Tourigny won't be building that future alone.

Assistant coach Blaine Forsythe also signed a multiyear contract. With the organization since 2023-24, Forsythe brings extensive experience, including a Stanley Cup championship with the Washington Capitals in 2018.

Utah has also added Adam Foote as an assistant. The two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2002 Olympic gold medalist brings another layer of experience to a coaching staff built to help the organization continue developing.

For a young franchise, that continuity matters. Building a contender requires more than talented players; it requires a consistent environment where those players can develop and learn how to win.

The Expectations Are Changing

Tourigny's first five seasons were about proving Utah could move forward.

Now, the expectations are different.

The Mammoth have shown they can reach the playoffs. The next challenge is becoming a team that expects to be there every year, and eventually competes for the Stanley Cup.

As the roster evolves and younger players take on larger roles, his ability to maintain the team's identity will become increasingly important. His experience leading Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship also gives him experience managing talented players under pressure.

Now, he has the opportunity to bring that experience to Utah's next chapter.

Utah's Identity Starts Behind the Bench

The Mammoth's decision to extend Tourigny shows they aren't looking to constantly reinvent themselves. They've found a coach whose teams have steadily improved and whose leadership has helped establish the foundation of the franchise.

His ultimate legacy in Utah won't be measured by how quickly he produces a Stanley Cup. It will be by whether he can help build an organization that expects to compete for one year after year. After five seasons of steady progress as a coach, Utah is now trusting Tourigny to lead the team into its next stage.