2022-23 Colorado Mammoth Training Camp Preview
November 2, 2022 – National Lacrosse League (NLL) – Colorado Mammoth News Release
The boys are OFFICIALLY back in town this weekend as Week 1 of the Colorado Mammoth’s training camp is set to begin Friday, Nov. 4 at Foothills Fieldhouse. But this isn’t any ordinary training camp; it’s time for the team to begin its championship defense after capturing its first NLL Championship since 2006 last season in a triumphant seven-game, five-win postseason experience.
With four weeks of training camp action, two exhibition contests against the Toronto Rock and Las Vegas Desert Dogs, more than 10 new faces vying for a roster spot, November boils down to one goal: running it back. Whether it’s a players first time meeting their new teammates or 11th season getting their burgundy and black Mammoth-branded equipment, the smiles, hugs and embraces on the first night of training camp are always contagious.
Excitement to be back around the sport they love, the guys they enjoy playing with and within the championship domains of Denver, Colorado.
Training Camp Breakdown
The first session, set to take place Nov. 4 and 5 in Denver will be followed by a trip to the TRAC in Toronto for Week 2, Nov. 11-13. Featuring some team-only time before its scrimmage with the Toronto Rock, Colorado will enjoy a few days of rest before heading West to Las Vegas, as the NLL’s newest expansion team will host the Mammoth Nov. 18-20, with the two squads competing in an exhibition match at Michelob ULTRA Arena Nov. 20. Back home for Week 4, the Mammoth will make its final cuts over Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 25-27, wrapping up training camp Sunday, Nov. 27 with media day at Ball Arena.
While Week 1, and historically, all of Colorado’s training camp sessions are closed to the public, Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for exciting training camp coverage and content as the season quickly approaches!
2022-23 Colorado Mammoth Training Camp Roster
With former defenseman Scott Carnegie recently retiring and being named as the organization’s Head of Player Performance, forward Sam Firth and defenseman Erik Turner (sent to Las Vegas in a trade immediately following the 2022 NLL Expansion Draft to re-acquire forward Brett McIntyre) are the only three players not returning to camp from last year’s championship team. Featuring a variety of new faces, experienced veterans and Mammoth fan-favorites, Colorado arguably boasts one of the deepest and most talented rosters heading into the preseason.
Forwards: Logan Wisnauskas, Ryan Lee, Chris Wardle, Evan Downey, Zed Williams, Asher Nolting, Keegan Khan, Tyson Gibson, Brett McIntyre, Jake Foster, Eli McLaughlin, Dylan Kinnear, Brett Draper, Connor Robinson
Defensemen: Noah Lebar, Tim Edwards, Josh Sullivan, Brett Craig, Warren Jeffrey, Robert Hope, Jordan Gilles, Matt Dunn, Anthony Joaquim, Jake Higgins, Nick Finlay, Jalen Chaster, Joey Cupido, Zach Geddes, Nick Musso
Goaltenders: Tyler Carlson, Nate Faccin, Dillon Ward
Road to Recovery: While a majority of Colorado’s anticipated training camp roster will arrive in good health for Friday’s training camp kickoff session, there are a few players returning from last year’s squad with lingering injuries. That said, everyone seems to be trending in the right direction, with sights set for various preseason and regular season returns.
After giving his all throughout the regular season, star forward Ryan Lee injured his knee during last season’s quarterfinal victory over the Calgary Roughnecks. Following successful surgery in the early summer, Lee is expected to be present at training camp, targeting an early-regular season date to rejoin his teammates on the turf.
In opposite fashion, defenseman Brett Craig unfortunately suffered his knee injury almost a year ago, when the team was participating in some exhibition action in Toronto during last year’s training camp. After spending the entire 2022-23 on the Injured Reserve List, the 2020 NLL Entry Draft selection should be able to test things out at training camp after being cleared for physical conditioning this summer.
Banged up during game 1 of the NLL Finals and after posting an outstanding 41 points (20g, 41a) in his first five playoff appearances last season, forward Eli McLaughlin’s arm injury continues to heal ahead of the team’s resumption to play, with the B.C. native expected to take some reps this weekend.
Outside of a variety of minor injuries sustained by Warren Jeffrey, Dillon Ward and company during last season’s playoff run or offseason competition, Colorado is expected to enter training camp healthy and ready to grind.
New Faces
With experience competing in various levels of across throughout North America, professionally, collegiately, privately. Regardless, each of the players invited to Colorado’s training camp will be present for a reason.
Logan Wisnauskas (2021 NLL Entry Draft Selection): The 2022 Tewaaraton Award recipient, aka the NCAA’s best overall lacrosse player last spring, is scheduled to join the Mammoth at training camp this season. Building on his impressive collegiate career, the first-year pro found success this summer with the PLL’s Chrome, racking up 35 points (24g, 11a) and 10 ground balls in 9 regular season appearances.
Evan Downey (Free agent signed Sept. 16): Downey logged 165 points (108g, 57a), 148 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers in four seasons (2014-17) with Cabrini University. Having played midfield in college, Downey has most recently logged some Senior ball experience with the Coquitlam Adanacs this summer.
Asher Nolting (2021 NLL Entry Draft Selection): Colorado’s first selection in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft (22nd overall, 2nd round), the big-bodied forward showcased his ability to score and keep teammates involved throughout his summer run with the PLL’s Cannons LC. Working alongside Lyle Thompson as the offense’s second option, Nolting recorded 23 points (14g, 9a) in 10 regular season appearances with his outdoor club after graduating from High Point University earlier this spring.
Matt Dunn (Acquired via trade Oct. 6): Originally signed by the Georgia Swarm in 2018, Dunn made his NLL debut during the 2018-19 campaign, where he recorded six points (1g, 5a), 36 loose balls, five caused turnovers and eight penalty minutes in 16 games played. The defenseman would go on to add nine loose balls and two caused turnovers in four appearances during the shortened 2019-20 NLL campaign.
Keegan Khan (2021 NLL Entry Draft): Drafted by the Mammoth 54th overall in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft, Khan excelled as a midfield talent at Villanova and Maryland Universities before recording his first professional outing this season as a member of the PLL’s Whipsnakes LC. Registering nine points (6g, 3a) in seven games this summer, Khan will look to impress at camp and earn a spot among Colorado’s talent-packed front end.
Jake Foster (Free agent signed Aug. 16): The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native most recently recorded 20 points (12g, 8a) in 2022 with the WLA’s Coquitlam Adanacs before spending time with the Orangeville Northmen’s Jr. B program in 2018 and 2019. Foster will look to impress at camp and give Head Coach Pat Coyle another look at a familiar Adanacs prospect.
Jake Higgins (2021 NLL Entry Draft): A teammate of Khan and Wisnauskas at Maryland and a 2022 PLL Champion alongside 2022 NLL Finals MVP Dillon Ward, Jake Higgins appeared in nine regular season games with the Waterdogs this summer. Assembling eight ground balls, five caused turnovers and an assist as a defensive midfielder, the big-bodied defenseman should be able to learn a lot during his first NLL training camp.
Zach Geddes (2022 NLL Entry Draft): Selected in the fifth round, 89th overall, defenseman Zach Geddes will join the Mammoth for his first NLL training camp after helping Georgetown capture a pair of Big East Championships (2019, 2021). The defensive midfielder also logged some playing time this summer in six appearances with the PLL’s Chaos after the club selected him eighth overall in the PLL College Draft.
Nick Musso (2022 NLL Entry Draft): The Mammoth selected defenseman Nick Musso with the 51st overall pick Another defenseman, Musso has played his last two seasons with the BCJALL’s Coquitlam Adanacs, where he’s logged six points (4g, 2a) and 26 penalty minutes in 18 appearances.
Brett Draper (Free agent signed Aug. 16): Racking up an impressive 39 points (18g, 21a) in 17 regular season games with the WLA’s Victoria Shamrocks before adding 7 points (3g, 4a) during the team’s postseason run, the Calgary, Alberta native also played for Maryville University in 2020 and 2021, recoding 64 points (43g, 21a) in 18 appearances.
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