A season that was temporarily taken away put Matt Brown in the perfect position for his new job.
National Lacrosse League officials canceled the season Oct. 16 because of labor negotiations, only to bring it back nine days later. It became the perfect out for Brown to mix his two jobs in the same city.
The former University of Denver player now is an assistant coach for the Pioneers. But before labor problems put the season in jeopardy, the Colorado Mammoth and Brown’s old team, the Arizona Sting, were trying to work out a trade so Brown could play and coach in the same city.
When Arizona couldn’t get its dates back in its arena, the team was dispersed throughout the league and Brown landed in Denver.
“It was kind of funny how that worked out,” Brown said, grinning. “It has been great. I already knew a lot of the guys, so it was an easy transition.”
The NLL season returns Saturday night when the Mammoth plays the Calgary Roughnecks at the Pepsi Center.
Colorado, the 2006 NLL champion, failed to retain the Champions’ Cup last season, losing in overtime to San Jose in the first round of the playoffs.
In the offseason, coach Gary Gait left to become the women’s coach at Syracuse University and general manager Steve Govett filled the void with Bob McMahon.
McMahon has retained assistants Russ Heard and Dan Pratt and added Bob Hamley, a former Sting head coach and general manager when the Arizona franchise announced a one-year hiatus.
Colorado also lost fan favorite Dave Stilley (retired), faceoff standout Jamie Hanford (signed with the New York Titans), Ben Prepchuk (traded to Edmonton, his hometown, for Jason Wulder) and homegrown forward Mike Law (studying abroad).
Dylan Llord was the lone draft pick to crack the Mammoth’s 23-man roster. An undrafted rookie, Chris Gill — not the former Mammoth player — was a surprise addition, showing athleticism in training camp to compensate for his lack of experience.
Fierce intrasquad competition takes place weekly as McMahon selects the 16 runners and two goalies allowed to suit up, leaving five players watching from the stands.
“It’s a blessing; also a headache,” he said. “But a good headache to have.”
Like Gait, McMahon prioritizes team unity. His familiarity with Brown, Murray and Prossner — he came to the Mammoth after assisting Hamley with the Sting — engenders confidence.
“I believe that good people make good teams,” he said. “I can speak to their personality and their character.”
While Brown has played against most Colorado players in the winter and with a handful in the summer as a member of Major League Lacrosse’s Denver Outlaws, the play of all-pros Gavin Prout and Dan Carey is a revelation.
“Gavin is so smart,” Brown said. “He knows the game inside and out. He’s honestly one of the most complete players in the game.
“And Dan Carey, on paper, he’s very good. Then you get out there with him and see that he’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen.”
Prout, Carey, Brian Langtry and Jamie Shewchuk each averaged close to two goals per game last season, a trend McMahon encourages.
McMahon plans to retain many of Gait’s successful tactics, but says he employs a more aggressive defense.
Goaltender Gee Nash, who was plagued by a back injury at the end of last season, is healthy. But super reserve Chris Levis, fresh off a summer Canadian championship, will be given a chance to play, according to McMahon.
Initially, Jim Moss, Jason Bloom and Prout will replace Hanford on draws. Prout’s time on the X spot will be limited, however.
“You don’t want to put a superstar in that position, where he can break a stick or break a finger,” Govett said.
Forwards
No. Name Ht Wt Yrs. G-A-Pts
16 Matt Brown 6-0 200 2 10-14-24
44 Dan Carey 5-11 180 3 32-44-76
72 Jordan Cornfield 6-0 212 2 9-3-12
6 Brian Langtry 5-10 185 6 31-35-67
43 Dylan Llord 6-2 180 R none
1 Jed Prossner 6-2 200 1 6-9-15
9 Gavin Prout 5-10 185 6 30-59-89
85 Jamie Shewchuk 5-10 170 1 27-25-53
95 Jason Wulder 6-0 200 13 10-35-45
Goalies
No. Name Ht Wt Yrs. GAA
30 Chris Levis 6-1 213 6 10.50
38 Gee Nash 6-0 195 8 11.27
Transition
No. Name Ht Wt Yrs. G-A-Pts
47 Jason Bloom 6-0 205 1 2-9-11
8 Nick Carlson 6-0 196 5 3-4-7
10 Nenad Gajic 6-0 195 1 13-24-37
23 Chris Gill 6-2 225 R none
4 Josh Sims 6-2 200 7 19-20-39
Defensemen
No. Name Ht Wt Yrs. G-A-Pts
48 Rich Catton 6-1 215 8 0-8-8
2 Pat Coyle 6-0 220 11 1-3-4
28 Tom Ethington 6-3 220 4 0-2-2
11 John Gallant 6-0 185 6 1-8-9
66 Matt Leveque 5-10 205 2 1-2-3
55 Jim Moss 6-0 215 7 3-8-11
20 Bruce Murray 6-1 260 6 0-3-3
