NLL Colorado Mammoth

Colorado Mammoth Add Natural Scorers and Big Bodies in 2018 NLL Entry Draft

Published on September 26, 2018 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


(Philadelphia) - The Colorado Mammoth did not correctly predict the first two rounds of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft, held on Tuesday, September 25 at Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia, PA. However, the unpredictability of the Draft wasn't a hindrance for the Mammoth; it was a benefit.

Making their first selection of the night in the second round (22nd overall), the Mammoth picked righty forward Kyle Killen. Killen, a product of RIT, is a former teammate of the Mammoth's first pick in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft, Ryan Lee.

"I'm an energetic forward" said Killen. "I like to shoot the ball from around the outside and, when I can, get in the middle, try to help my teammates out and get them open."

Mammoth Head Coach Pat Coyle confessed that he didn't exactly know how Colorado was able to grab Killen.

"Honestly, we expected [Killen] to go at least 10 spots earlier, said Coyle. "He's a great goal scorer and adds depth to our offense. We're really lucky to get him."

"Looking at our team last year, that was one thing we felt we really needed to address was goal scoring, and we got a goal scorer."

In the third round (30th overall), the Colorado got another scorer in Dennon Armstrong, a lefty forward who, with Pat Coyle's Coquitlam Adanacs, won the 2018 Canadian Junior A Box Lacrosse Championship.

Armstrong said, "I'm super excited to get to play for such a well-known team and for my head coach, Pat, who has coached me my whole life and made me the player I am today."

With their second pick in the third round (35th overall), the Mammoth addressed holes in their defense by selecting Julian Garritano, a lefty defensemen out of Sacred Heart University and the Brooklin Redmen.

The former Northeastern Conference All-Rookie Team selection stands at 6'0", 207 lbs. and said his style of play includes "getting a little chippy to get loose balls if we have to."

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win," said Garritano.

In the fourth round, the Mammoth selected a player willing to do whatever it takes to where burgundy and black. Colorado drafted former Brock University righty defenseman, Dylan Laprade, as the 48th pick overall.

"All I want is opportunity," said Laprade, who has already begun preparing for preseason by watching hours of Mammoth game film.

"I'm not the flashiest guy. Anything to improve my game, I'll do it."

The Mammoth's final selection of the night was also their biggest-bodied selection of the night, coming in at 6'3", 210 lbs. In the sixth round, as the 72nd pick overall, the Mammoth selected righty forward Steven Lee, who has played three seasons with the Burlington Chiefs in the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse Lacrosse League.

To see if Colorado's five draft selections make the 2018-19 team, buy tickets now for Grow the Game Night, the Mammoth's Home Opener, on Dec. 1. Tickets are on sale now at AltitudeTickets.com. For Full Season and Flex Pack memberships, fans can contact 303.405.1101.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from September 26, 2018


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