10/8/2009 – The Colorado Mammoth announced today the signing of seven players for the 2010 season.

Veteran forward and the team’s third-leading scorer in 2008, Jamie Shewchuk, has re-signed with a three-year agreement. Defenseman Matt Leveque and forward Andrew Potter will also return to the Mammoth having signed two-year contracts. Rookies Shawn Dhaliwal, Rocco Romero, Neil Tyacke and Matt Wilson will debut their NLL careers in Colorado – each having committed to two-year deals.

“We’ll have some new, very outstanding talent on our squad this year,“ noted Mammoth general manager Steve Govett. “We’re excited about the size, strength and mix of guys coming into camp. They will be prepared to work hard and get the Mammoth back to the top of the NLL.”

An Edmonton, Alberta-native, Shewchuk (5’10, 175lbs.) returns to the Mammoth for his fourth season with the team. After being drafted by Colorado in the second round (25th overall) in the 2006 NLL entry draft, Shewchuk quickly became the fourth-leading scorer that year with 53 points (27g, 26a) and was named to the NLL All-Rookie team. He has tallied 170 regular-season points (73g, 97a) and 16 post-season points (7g, 9a) in 49 games. Jamie resides in Denver and works with the Colorado Mammoth Sticks for Schools community lacrosse outreach program.

Matt Leveque (5’10, 200lbs.) enters his fifth season as a defenseman with the Mammoth. He was acquired by Colorado as a free-agent signing prior to the 2006 season. A native of Surrey, British Columbia and former captain of the Surrey Stickmen, Leveque achieved career highs in 2009 with 12 games played, six points (4g, 2a) and 46 loose balls.

Forward Andrew Potter (5’10, 190lbs.) was acquired from Rochester in 2008 for the rights to former Mammoth great Gary Gait. Now, entering his second indoor season with the Mammoth, Potter is coming off a stellar summer campaign with Brampton in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse Association where he claimed honor to the league points title. Originally drafted in the first round of the 2007 entry draft (14th overall) by Rochester, Potter was named a 2007 Ontario Junior A All-Star and most sportsmanlike player and was of the top 20 scorers in the league (28g, 25a in 17 games).

The Mammoth’s third round selection (32nd overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft, Shawn Dhaliwal (5’10, 175lbs.), is a native of Richmond, British Columbia. Dhaliwal comes from the Burnaby Junior A Lakers where he was the second-leading scorer on the team in 2009 with 53 points (24g, 29a).

Cornell-product Rocco Romero (5’9, 175lbs.), a Denver native, was drafted in the sixth round (56th overall) in this year’s entry draft. An outstanding offensive and transition player, Romero helped lead his team to the national championship game against Syracuse.

At 6’3, 185lbs, Neil Tyacke adds size to the Mammoth goaltending staff. Acquired through a draft-day trade, this sixth round selection (55th overall) is a solid netminder who comes from the Junior A New Westminster Salmonbellies. Last season he sported a 78% save percentage in 21 regular-season games with the ‘Bellies.

Originally a third-round selection of the Mammoth in 2007, Matt Wilson has battled knee injuries – keeping him out of action in 2008 and 2009. Now fully recovered, Wilson looks to land a spot on defense for Colorado.

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.