NLL: Gallant Takes Over As Mammoth Captain
from press release
DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth announced
today that defenseman John Gallant has been named team captain for
2010. Fellow defenseman, Bruce Murray has been tabbed one of
two assistant captains along with transition player Nick
Carlson.
“I’m truly honored to be named as the team’s
captain for 2010,” said a humbled Gallant.
“I’ve seen this franchise prosper in Denver, build the
best fan base in lacrosse, and I look forward to leading us back in
the hunt for another title.” One of only two active
team members remaining from the Washington, DC team that moved to
Denver in 2003, Gallant enters his first season as team captain
– and just the third in Mammoth history. Gallant played in 63
consecutive regular season games for Colorado before missing the
final game of the 2006 season with a spleen injury. He
returned from injury to play in the 2006 title game and helped the
Mammoth win the NLL championship. The 2007 NLL All-Star
played in all 16 games for Colorado in 2009 finishing third on the
team with 91 loose balls and tallying 12 points.
Entering his third season with the Mammoth, defenseman Bruce
Murray looks to rebound in 2010. Following a season-ending
knee injury near the mid-point of last season, Murray has spent the
past several months rehabilitating and preparing for the upcoming
campaign. In nine games last year, “Moose”
scooped up 41 loose balls and assisted on four goals. The
Coquitlam, BC native is looking forward to getting back on the
field in 2010 and leading a fresh, new defensive squad.
“It means a lot to be named an assistant captain. To be
chosen to help lead a team - hopefully to a championship,
it’s quite an honor,” said the 6’1” 260lb.
NLL veteran.
Transition specialist, Nick Carlson, enters his seventh season in
Colorado. The Nanaimo, BC native is a two-time All-Star for
the Mammoth and was a part of the 2006 Championship team.
Appearing in all 16 regular season games in 2009, Carlson netted
four goals and assisted on 14 others, finishing the year with 18
points. He also vacuumed up an impressive 83 loose
balls. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to be
able to lead the team with Gallant and Murray,” said
Carlson. “There is a little pressure on us right now,
but at the same time it is a great opportunity.”
“All three of these individuals are outstanding team
players. Each is a tremendous representative of the Mammoth
on the floor, in the locker room and in the community. John
Gallant is the embodiment of the Colorado Mammoth and everything we
could hope for as the third Captain in the franchise’s
history,” boasted Mammoth president and general manager Steve
Govett.
Colorado hosts Minnesota at Pepsi Center on Friday, December 18 in
preseason action. The Mammoth opens the 2010 regular season
on the road against the Washington Stealth on January 9. The
home-opener is one week later as Colorado hosts the Edmonton Rush
at Pepsi Center on Saturday, January 16. 2010 Mammoth season
tickets are on-sale now. Single game tickets for the Mammoth
go on sale Friday, December 18.
