IL Indoor

Colorado Mammoth, Rookie Report

Reaction from NLL Mammoth Rookie & Free Agent Camp

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) Colorado Mammoth hosted their Rookie & Free Agent camp this weekend. Included in that group were high American draft picks in forward Ned Crotty and defender Ken Clausen. The two are young, marketable players with impressive field lacrosse resumes. But their experience with the indoor game is limited. How will they adjust and will they be impact players as early as 2011?

After the jump, hear from the Mammoth’s top pick from 2010, Ned Crotty, as well as Mammoth head coach Bob Hamley on their impression of the team’s NLL tryout weekend that wrapped up today. READ MORE »

Colorado Mammoth, Rochester Knighthawks, The Ballers, The Buzz

Fall out from the big trade: Mammoth fans up in arms, KHawk fans mourn, Players all agree

So what really went down this past week? Did the man that has been synonymous with Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse really get traded for one of the games best goalies? Quickly give your head a shake; yes it did happen. Over the following days, Tutka and Chavez both broke down this trade here, here, here, and finally here. It’s even been discussed heavily on message boards league wide. From Mammoth fans seemingly rejecting the trade based on pure ‘hate’ for John Grant, Knighthawk fans still in shock from losing the franchises greatest player; to fans in Toronto and Buffalo wondering if there’s a chance they might get the All-World, All-Pro All-Everything Grant. But when ever a trade like this goes down one group of people continually get left out of the discussion; the rest of the players in the league. So after the jump, find out some of the thoughts from guys that have played with and or against the likes of Mac Allen, Matt Zash, John Grant and Matt Vinc. READ MORE »

Philadelphia Wings

Philadelphia hires former longtime Wing Dave Stilley as Assistant GM, Govett explains blockbuster, plus the links

Dave Stilley saying goodbye to Colorado Mammoth fans in 2007. (Photo: Michael Martin)

A year ago Dave Huntley served as both the Philadelphia Wings GM and head coach. A pair of positions he manned alone.

This year the Wings have already re-split the dual roles bringing in Johnny Mouradian as their consultant turned GM and the released and then almost immediately brought back John Tucker as their bench boss. Yesterday Philadelphia added to their staff yet again, former Philly fan favourite and three-time Champion’s Cup winner Dave Stilley added to Mouradian’s side as the franchise’s assistant GM. READ MORE »

Colorado Mammoth, Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks have Matt Vinc, but they also have Pat O’Toole and Aaron Bold, plus links

What is Pat O'Toole's future with the Rochester Knighthawks now that they have Matt Vinc?

The Rochester Knighthawks pulled the trigger this week on one of the bigger trades in recent National Lacrosse League memory, sending John Grant Jr. to the Colorado Mammoth to bring goalie Matt Vinc to their fold. So as Knighthawks Nation stews with excitement about what the addition of one of the game’s best keepers can do for its squad, it must also consider this: What becomes of Pat O’Toole and Aaron Bold? O’Toole is entrenched in Knighthawks lore as much as any of the current ‘Birds, and Bold was heralded last season as the eventual heir. Plans have changed, though, and coach Mike Hasen has some tough choices ahead of him as he tells NLLInsider.com that all 3 keepers come to camp on level ground. READ MORE »

NLL History

25 Years: Who is the best defensive defender in National Lacrosse League history?

Where does former Rock and Mammoth defender Pat Coyle rank amongst the game's best defenders?. (Photo: Graig Abel)

With the National Lacrosse League amping up to celebrate their 25 year anniversary this upcoming 2011 season, Insider is checking in with former and current players, coaches and media with a new weekly poll, looking back at the best-of-the-best in the game by rewinding all the way to the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1987, the brainchild of current Philadelphia Wings ownership and NLL Hall of Famers Russ Cline and Chris Fritz. READ MORE »

Orlando Titans, Toronto Rock

Unrestricted free agent vet forward Pat Maddalena signs with Toronto Rock

Pat Maddalena links up with the Toronto Rock after four-years with the Titans. (Photo: Graig Abel)

And the aftershocks of the Orlando Titans demise just keep coming this week, unrestricted free agent 11-year vet forward Pat Maddalena signing today with the East champion Toronto Rock, Maddalena joining former Titan teammates Matt Vinc, Matt Zash and Mike McLellan, all four finding themselves in new NLL sweaters over the last 24 hours.

Maddalena was granted unrestricted free agency, along with Pat Merrill who also signed with Toronto, earlier this off-season after the players claimed unpaid portions of their 2010 contract with their former franchise. After the jump, check out what Maddalena has to say about joining Toronto. READ MORE »

Rochester Knighthawks

Matt Vinc happy to be back in Rochester, “I can’t put into words how I am feeling”

Matt Vinc, who played MLL lacrosse for Rochester, has returned to the city. (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

From Press Release

Matt Vinc knows Rochester. He was just 24 years old the first time he arrived in the Flower City as a member of the Rochester Rattlers. Now four years later he again is playing lacrosse in Rochester, but this time it’s for the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks.

Vinc was acquired in a five-player, four-draft pick trade with Colorado on Wednesday that sent the K-Hawks’ all-time leading scorer, John Grant Jr., and Mac Allen to the Mammoth. Just three hours after the trade, Vinc was still trying to explain his excitement on the move to Rochester. READ MORE »

Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth

Matt King trade made in part due to constantly changing National Lacrosse League landscape, plus the links

A two-time Cup winner in Calgary, Matt King was dealt to Colorado yesterday. (Matt J. Wiater)

From Press Release

The Calgary Roughnecks have traded goaltender Matt King and their second round selection in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft to the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for forward Cory Conway.

King played with the Roughnecks for five inconsecutive seasons (2002-2004, 2009-2010). King was the Roughnecks vigor between the nets during both their 2004 and 2009 NLL Championships. READ MORE »

Colorado Mammoth, Rochester Knighthawks

“Junior will always be a Knighthawk, but to get an impact player like Matt Vinc you have to give up something.” – Jody Gage

Picked up by Colorado in the Titans dispersal, Matt Vinc has landed in Rochester after today's blockbuster trade.

From Press Release

Rochester Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres announced today that the team has completed a blockbuster deal with Colorado to acquire 2010 National Lacrosse League Goalie of the Year Matt Vinc, transition man Matt Zash, the rights to transition man Brad Self, and the Mammoth’s first and third-round picks in 2012. In return, Rochester sends John Grant Jr., Mac Allen and its first-round selections in 2011 and 2013 to Colorado. READ MORE »

Colorado Mammoth, Rochester Knighthawks

Grant excited about move to Denver, Mammoth hoping for same magic as Gait brought franchise in ‘03

'I’m definitely excited about coming to Colorado.' - John Grant (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

The Colorado Mammoth have confirmed the deal Insider reported on earlier today, the Mammoth sending Matt Vinc, Matt Zash, Brad Self and their first & third round picks in the 2012 entry draft to the Rochester Knighthawks in exchange for John Grant, Mac Allen and Rochester’s first round picks in the 2011 and 2013 draft. After the jump check out what Mammoth GM Steve Govett and Head Coach Bob Hamley have to say about today’s blockbuster, as well as Grant’s comments in regards to his new franchise. READ MORE »