The Colorado Mammoth’s acquisition last week of 2003 National Lacrosse League defenseman of the year Jim Moss in exchange for Andrew Burkholder and a 2007 first-round draft pick appears to be a steal.
A deal three months in the making came together when several factors converged: Moss’ dissatisfaction with the San Jose Stealth, his need to play with a United States-based team in the West Division, and the availability of Burkholder.
“I had a little bad blood with San Jose management,” Moss said Tuesday night from the Pepsi Center. He makes his debut Thursday night at Portland.
“We didn’t see eye-to-eye with the direction the franchise was going,” Moss said.
The 29-year-old Toronto native moved to San Jose three years ago and worked for the then-expansion club in marketing. On the floor, he scored 72 points in 81 games, played in two All-Star Games and served as team captain.
When the Stealth tried to deal Moss during training camp, Mammoth general manager Steve Govett was an avid participant in trade talks.
As the Stealth (1-5) lost games, while paying Moss and not playing him, his trade value decreased.
“We had offered much more for him in the preseason,” Govett said.
Meanwhile, Burkholder, a key part of Colorado’s 2006 title run, lost playing time to newcomers Jamie Shewchuk, Jordan Cornfield and Matt Taylor.
Shewchuk secured the second line left-handed forward berth, and Cornfield and Taylor split time on the third line.
After playing in the first two games and the fourth game, tallying one goal and two assists, Burkholder has not broken into the dress-out lineup for the NLL-leading Mammoth (6-1).
Moss brings diversity – he can play defense or transition – as well as leadership and tenacity.
“He’s very tough,” Govett said. “He’s a pressure defenseman, not a stay-at-home guy, but he can play in our system. And in a transition role, he has a great stick and can set picks. He can go to the offensive end and send a message to defenders taking liberties with our players.”
Moss, an expectant father, did not want to play in a city too far from his San Jose, Calif.-based wife. He also preferred cities on his marketing route for his weekday employer, STX Lacrosse. Denver, Phoenix and Portland, Ore., all fit that bill.
Although he has a stick in his hand all week, selling gear and teaching youngsters, Moss allows that he is rusty.
“You can never be game- ready until you play in games,” he said. “Thankfully, I can just step into a good defense. I don’t have to save the world; I can find my niche.”
Moss makes his home debut at 6 p.m. Sunday when the Mammoth hosts Calgary (4-2).
All-star balloting
Fans can vote online through Feb. 20 at www.NLL.com for the March 10 All-Star Game at the Rose Garden in Portland.
By virtue of leading Colorado to the 2006 championship, Gary Gait is the coach of the West Division all-star team. Arizona’s Bob Hamley will assist him.
Buffalo’s Darris Kilgour is the East coach, assisted by Rochester’s Ed Comeau. The coaches will select the reserves. Each of the NLL’s 13 teams will be represented by at least one player.
