IL Indoor

Ben Davies is eager to start tryout camp with the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Colorado Mammoth after signing a two-year contract with the club in September.

Davies is coming off a busy summer season in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) and will compete for a position at the Mammoth’s back-end. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he’ll have a great shot at making an impact in the league based on his size and athleticism.

He was drafted 46th overall by the Mammoth back in ‘09 but still had an extra year of collegiate eligibility left. Davies blew out his knee that summer but then came back strong from ACL surgery, traveling with Simon Fraser University (SFU) to last year’s MCLA nationals and earning second-team All-American honors.

“It made me a more well-rounded lacrosse player,” says Davies of his collegiate experience where he starred between the lines.

“Playing with guys like Curtis Manning, they’re really good leaders and they showed me how to work hard,” adds Ben, who spent three years as an SFU midfielder. He transferred to the school after spending one year as a back-up football QB for the University of Calgary, which also caused him to miss his rookie year of Junior ‘A’ box lacrosse.

During his last two years of Junior ‘A’ – reunited with his hometown New Westminster Salmonbellies club – Davies recorded 13 goals and 31 points over 30 games.

At the WLA level, Ben enjoyed a solid rookie season this past summer, registering one goal and five points in 16 games as he helped the Maple Ridge Burrards make their first playoff appearance since 2005. Ben was the Burrards second pick, selected tenth overall in the 2010 WLA Entry Draft.

“I went to Maple Ridge not knowing where I was going to fit in,” offers Davies. “I ended up getting a lot of playing time. I think it was really good for my career.”

In addition to practicing all summer against offensive teammates and NLL Coming Attractions Curtis Dickson and Jarrett Davis, Davies was able to learn from proven pros like the Stealth’s Tyler Codron, who is widely regarded as on the game’s best defenders.

Ben says he is now in the gym at least five times a week getting ready for pro training camp. His work-out partner is former Junior ‘A’ teammate and current Edmonton Rush transition player Brett Mydske who enjoyed an outstanding rookie season in 2010.

“I’m pretty confident,” adds Ben Davies. “Playing in the WLA this summer, I really got a good sense of what I’m going up against. I’m looking forward to (NLL) training camp.”

With his combination of size and speed, Ben could become an NLL regular.

Davies will be in competition with a number of other players for a starting roster spot, including fellow Mammoth rookie Ken Clausen, a four-time All-American at the University of Virginia. Defenders Ken Clausen and John Rae, who were taken in the last NLL draft, both signed two year deals with Colorado as well.

Check out our recap of the 2010 NLL Entry Draft here, and visit the Mammoth’s forum for candid feedback from Colorado GM Steve Govett on his roster heading into the 2011 season.

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