NLL: More Wheeling, Dealing in Colorado
from press release
DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth announced
today a pair of trades that result in the acquisition of veteran
forward Chad Culp. The Mammoth traded forward Ryan Powell to
the Edmonton Rush in exchange for Callum Crawford. Colorado
then traded Crawford to Minnesota in exchange for Culp.
Culp, originally from Owen Sound, Ontario had been
Minnesota’s all-time leading playoff scorer with 11 points in
three games. In 91 regular-season games, Culp has amassed 255
career points. Twice the lefty has boasted eight-point
nights, with the most recent coming on February 28, 2009 when he
scored two goals and assisted on six others against Buffalo.
Culp was also a member of the Owen Sound Woodsmen team that won the
2008 President’s Cup. “Chad is a very gritty ball
player that will be a welcome addition to our young offense,”
added Mammoth president and general manager Steve Govett.
Following the Portland dispersal draft on July 7, 2009, the
Mammoth acquired Ryan Powell in a trade with New York for the
rights to Matt Danowski.
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.
Swarm Also Signs Three
SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- The National Lacrosse
League’s (NLL) Minnesota Swarm have announced that the team
has acquired forward Callum Crawford from the Edmonton Rush.
As part of a three-team trade, the Swarm sent forward Chad Culp to
the Colorado Mammoth who traded forward Ryan Powell to
Edmonton.
Crawford, 25, recorded 41 points (19g, 22a) and 48 loose balls in
13 contests with the Edmonton last year. Prior to his time with the
Rush, Crawford spent the 2008 season with the Chicago Shamrox and
finished with 27 points (14g, 13a) along with 37 loose balls. The
native of Calgary, AB has tallied 99 points (47g, 52a), 27 PIM and
142 loose balls over his four-year career in the league with
Edmonton, Chicago, San Jose, and Calgary.
“Trading Chad was one of the hardest moves I’ve ever
had to make in my career. He brought a ton of character to our team
and contributed a lot on the field whether it was scoring goals,
hustling, or making plays on special teams,” said General
Manager Marty O’Neill. “Basically we needed to add some
insurance to our right side and we had seven left-handers fighting
for five spots in camp. It just made sense for us to go out and get
another quality right-handed forward in Callum.”
Culp, 27, was one of the original members of the inaugural Swarm
team in 2005. Last season the native of Fergus, ON appeared in 15
contests for the Swarm tallying 35 points (12g, 23a), 7 PIM and 87
loose balls. Culp finishes his tenure in Minnesota ranked third in
team history in points (223), goals (86) and assists (137).
Minnesota also announced the signings of defensemen Noah Talbot
and Richard Morgan as well as forward Alex Turner to one-year
contracts for the 2010 season. Talbot, 29, recorded two points
(2a), 7 PIM and collected 62 loose balls while appearing in all 16
contests for the Swarm in 2009. The native of Victoria, BC will be
entering his fifth season with Minnesota in 2010 and has played in
all but two games with the team the last four years.
”Noah was one of our best defensive players last year and he
has been a model of consistency for us,” stated
O’Neill. “We are excited to have him along for another
season.”
Morgan, 30, was acquired from Edmonton in exchange for the ninth
overall selection in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. The 6'8" 260 lbs.
native of Boise, ID spent the last four seasons with the Portland
LumberJax. In 16 contests with the LumberJax in 2009, Morgan
finished with 16 points (7g, 9a), 40 PIM and collected 68 loose
balls.
“We made it a goal this season to add some size to our
roster. Richard gives us that and a lot more,” said
O’Neill. “He can play on both sides of the ball and he
is also great on special teams.”
Turner, 22, was acquired from the Washington Stealth along with
goaltender Aaron Bold in exchange for the 13th and 23rd overall
selections in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. In his rookie season last
year, the 6’0” 200 lbs. native of Kamloops, BC recorded
16 points (7g, 9a), 4 PIM and collected 21 loose balls in seven
contests with the Stealth.
“We looked at drafting Alex two years ago,” stated
O’Neill. “He’s an evolving player with great size
and offensive abilities.”
