The nerves and uncertainty were shed quickly at the first Colorado Mammoth practice of training camp for the upcoming season. Players convened from locations all around North America and descended on the Parker Field House and Carroll Butts Athletic Park for the start of another run at the NLL Champions Cup.

In order to achieve the goal, the Mammoth will have to not only make the playoffs, but grab that elusive first round playoff victory that has escaped the team since 2006. At the start of training camp, veteran player John Gallant said, “In order for us to get over the hump and make a deep run in the playoffs, we have to be confident, disciplined and respond when our backs are to the wall.” The Mammoth coaching staff tried to instill those qualities in every player during the short time they had together in November.

The 2009 Mammoth met for the first time November 15 and had an initial practice at 10pm that evening at Parker Field House. One player the coaches were watching very closely was homegrown defenseman Ryan Zordani from the University of Denver. When asked what he thought the coaches were looking for during this camp, Zordani said, “They definitely want me to be more enthusiastic and talkative on the field. At DU and in high school I was the captain of our teams and they want me to put that into play here.” When asked who he though the toughest forward in camp to cover was, Zordani quickly responded “Number nine - our captain - no doubt.”

The players were only in town for three days - November 15 – 17. During that time, mandatory physicals were administered in addition to the practice sessions. In town for his second training camp with the Mammoth, defenseman Bruce Murray was excited to be back on the field and see everyone, but quickly recalled what being a mile above sea level can be like. He noted, “Even though it’s good to be back with the team it’s not so good being back in the altitude running sprints.” A majority of the 30 players the Mammoth invited to camp do not reside in the Denver area. As a result, their struggles with the altitude could be seen, and heard, during some initial rounds of conditioning.

As opening night quickly closes in, the roster will be trimmed to approximately 25 players before the start of the season. The official 2009 roster – with 23 players - will be announced on the Mammoth website in the coming weeks.

The squad takes the field for the first time on Saturday, December 20 in a special pre-season match against San Jose. All tickets for that game are just $10 and are on sale now. Tickets for regular season games go on sale Saturday, December 6.

11/18/08 - Mammoth fans now have an opportunity to get questions directly answered by All-Stars Gavin Prout and Gee Nash through the team’s website.

The “Ask the Captain” and “Ask Gee” forums are live now in the “Mammoth Forum” section on ColoradoMammoth.com.

“This is a great opportunity for fans to get real answers from some of their favorite players about life as a professional lacrosse player,” said Colorado Mammoth general manager Steve Govett, who also answers questions via his “Ask the GM” forum.

The Colorado Mammoth has inked five players to new contracts for the 2009 season, bringing its training camp roster to 28 players. The signings include forwards Terry Kimener and Ryan Zordani, transition player Mike Ward and goalies John Preece and Andrew Leyshon. “Every name on this list brings something different to the table,” Colorado Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. “We are certainly hoping that these guys can come in and compete for a spot on the roster and become a valuable member of the team.”

Terry Kimener, who was selected by the Colorado Mammoth in the fourth round (43rd overall) of the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, has signed a two year contract. Kimener (6’2, 180lbs.) is a recent graduate of University of Maryland-Baltimore County and was named 2008 America East Conference player of the year in 2008 after netting 48 points (26g/22a) in his senior campaign. Following graduation, Kimener played for the Chicago Machine of the MLL in 2008 and netted 22 pts (16goals, 6assists) in nine games as a rookie.

Forward Ryan Zordani, who was a stand-out on the University of Denver lacrosse team, also has signed a two year contract with the Mammoth. Zordani notched 98 points in his career as a Pioneer, ranking him third on DU’s all-time scoring list. He was originally drafted (57th overall) in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft by the Boston Blazers.

Mike Ward (6’0, 195lbs.) has signed a two-year contract with the Mammoth after being selected in the third round (31st overall) in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft. A former Duke Blue Devil, Ward was a member of the defensive corps that led the ACC in goals against average in his senior year at Duke adding 9 points (2g/7a) to go along with that. Ward and the Blue Devils played for the NCAA championship twice (2005, 2007) - finishing second both times.

Goalie Jay Preece (6’3, 200lbs.) comes to the Mammoth after two seasons with the Philadelphia Wings where he played in seven games and has career save percentage of 72.16% in the NLL. The Mississauga, ON native signed a two year deal with Colorado. Preece previously spent one season with the Maple Ridge Burrards of the Western Lacrosse Association and registered four wins and a 9.94 GAA.

Fellow goaltender, Andrew Leyshon (6’0, 230lbs.) comes to the Mammoth by way of the Calgary Roughnecks where he played from 2005-2007. He accumulated nine victories in that span and posted a 74% save percentage in his three seasons as a Roughneck. Leyshon, the Port Coquitlam, BC native, signed a two year contract with Colorado.

The Colorado Mammoth takes the field for the first time on December 20 as the team battles the San Jose Stealth in a special preseason exhibition game at Pepsi Center. Tickets for that game are on sale now at the Pepsi Center box office, all Ticketmaster retail centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 303.830.TIXS or 719.520.9090. Tickets for Mammoth regular season games go on sale Saturday, December 6 at 10am.

The Colorado Mammoth have announced that veteran defensemen Rich Catton and Bruce Murray have signed contracts to remain with the team for the 2009 season.

“We are very excited to bring back two players who are vital to the success of our defense,” Colorado Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. “They provide us with the experience, size and leadership that we need to win.”

Rich Catton (6’1, 215lbs.), a New Westminster, BC native, will start his third season with the Mammoth after signing a one year deal to remain with the team. Catton appeared in all 16 games last season and registered 3 points, 55 penalty minutes and 54 loose balls. Catton was a member of the Mann Cup Champion Victoria Shamrocks in 2005 and won the NLL Championship the next year in 2006 with the Mammoth. “There will always be room for a professional like Rich Catton on our roster,” said Govett. “His impact is felt on and off the field.”

Bruce Murray (6’1, 260lbs.) returns after a solid first season for the Mammoth. Murray chipped in 4 points on the year and finished fifth on the team with 73 loose balls. In 2003 Murray was a member of the gold medal-winning Team Canada at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. “I think Bruce is still building a very successful career and he will only get better which is scary for the opposition,” head coach Bob McMahon commented. Murray, who signed a two year contract with the Mammoth, is entering his fifth season in the NLL, having spent time in Anaheim and Arizona prior to Colorado.

The Colorado Mammoth takes the field for the first time on December 20th as the team battles the San Jose Stealth in a special preseason exhibition game at Pepsi Center. Tickets for that game are on sale now at the Pepsi Center box office, all Ticketmaster retail centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 303.830.TIXS or 719.520.9090. Tickets for Mammoth regular season games go on sale Saturday, December 6 at 10am.