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Colorado Mammoth

Colorado Mammoth Announces 2023-24 Roster

November 30, 2023 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) today announced the organization's regular season roster for the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.

Returning 23 players from last season's personnel group, Colorado's lineup is again anchored by All-World talent in goaltender Dillon Ward, who is set to compete in his tenth season with the club. Named the 2022 NLL Finals MVP, he championed the Mammoth to a second-consecutive NLL Finals appearance, and will look to again lead the burgundy squad to a another lengthy postseason run.

Paced by captain Robert Hope and the team's established defensive core, Colorado's back-end unit features several organizational pillars in Warren Jeffrey, Jordan Gilles and company, with 2022 first-round selection Owen Down expected to join the lineup once healthy, the club's first opening round pick since 2019. Physical, disciplined and plenty experienced, league veteran Paul Dawson will contribute right away, as a dependable leader in his own right.

Highlighted by a trio of true elite talents in Eli McLaughlin, Connor Robinson and Zed Williams, who each surpassed the 70-point mark last season, Offensive Coordinator Jason Bishop has plenty of top-end firepower to work with. Add in potent scoring options like Tyson Gibson and dependable body bangers like Chris Wardle and Dylan Kinnear and it's no wonder why the team has enjoyed its fair share of net-filling success over the past two years. With recently acquired forward Connor Kelly netting a sock trick in the team's final preseason skirmish, the unit is only looking to raise the bar this time around.

Heading into the season, the Mammoth, and all NLL squads, are able to keep 21 players on the Active Roster and four players on the Practice Player List. With defensemen Joey Cupido, Jalen Chaster, Nate Wade, Noah Lebar, Josh Sullivan and Owen Down currently designated to the Injured Reserve List, Mammoth fans can expect to see some personnel transactions throughout the season as the team continues to push for a 100% healthy squad.

After enduring successful knee surgery in the offseason, forward Ryan Lee will miss the 2023-24 season after being placed on the Season-Ending Injured Reserve List Nov. 25.

2023-24 Colorado Mammoth Roster:

Defensemen: Paul Dawson, Tim Edwards, Josh Sullivan (Injured Reserve), Brett Draper, Sean Kriwokon, Brett Craig, Warren Jeffrey, Tyler Garrison, Robert Hope, Owen Down (Injured Reserve), Jordan Gilles, Evan Downey, Nate Wade (Injured Reserve), Anthony Joaquim, Jalen Chaster (Injured Reserve), Joey Cupido (Injured Reserve), Noah Lebar (Injured Reserve)

Forwards: Chris Wardle, Jon Phillips (Practice Player tag), Ben McDonald, Zed Williams, Connor Kelly, Tyson Gibson, Brett McIntyre (Practice Player tag), Eli McLaughlin, Dylan Kinnear, Connor Robinson

Goaltenders: Tyler Carlson, Nate Faccin, Dillon Ward (Physically Unable to Perform List)

Season-Ending Injured Reserve List: Ryan Lee

New Faces:

#2 Paul Dawson (Veteran defenseman, signed as a free agent prior to the season)

#12 Season Kriwokon (Rookie defenseman, selected in the third round (43rd overall) of the 2023 NLL Entry Draft)

#19 Jon Phillips (Second-year forward, signed as a free agent prior to the season)

#20 Owen Down (Rookie defenseman, selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2022 NLL Entry Draft)

#21 Ben McDonald (Rookie forward, selected in the second round (34th overall) of the 2023 NLL Entry Draft)

#26 Nate Wade (Veteran defenseman, signed as a free agent prior to the season)

#40 Connor Kelly (Veteran forward, acquired via trade with the Albany FireWolves prior to the season).

New Numbers:

#5 Brett Draper (Formerly 94)

#83 Noah Lebar (Formerly 2)

While the 2023-24 NLL campaign officially begins with Faceoff Weekend Dec. 1-2, the Mammoth will begin their season on Dec. 9 in Duluth, Georgia against the Georgia Swarm.

The organization is expected to announce theme nights for its nine regular season home games next week, with a mix of returning fan favorites and some exciting new initiatives.

Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the latest transactions, news and beyond as the 2023-24 campaign quickly approaches!

Limited tickets for Colorado's LOUD HOUSE Home Opener against the Swarm Dec. 22 at Ball Arena remain.

Check out the Colorado Mammoth Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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