Andrew Burkholder, who was acquired in a mid-season trade in 2006, played the final nine games of the season for Colorado, recording 20 points.
SEASON PREVIEW: COLORADO MAMMOTH
On top of the mountain, Mammoth take on title defense
12/20/2006
The Colorado Mammoth will take one last moment to celebrate their 2006 championship on December 30th as they raise their Championship banner to the roof of the Pepsi Center and are awarded their championship rings. Then it's back to business as they host the Rochester Knighthawks in the season opener. The Mammoth are the team everyone is gunning for this season as Head Coach Gary Gait returns a similar roster from 2006. Minus a couple players lost in the expansion draft and an injury to all-star Jay Jalbert, the Mammoth look strong heading into 2007 as they begin their title defense.Championship Game MVP and All-Pro forward Gavin Prout is the leader of the team and will look to rally his troops again this season. Forward Brian Langtry has been a consistent contributor to the Mammoth offense while sophomore Dan Carey is becoming one of the top feeders in the league. Lefty forward Andrew Burkholder was a key pick-up for Colorado's championship run last season and could be clutch in the club's repeat efforts.
In the Entry Draft the Mammoth went after left-handed forwards, taking Gary Bining (first round, 13th overall) and Jamie Shewchuk (second round, 25th overall), with their first two picks. Both saw pretty significant action in pre-season tilts, giving Head Coach Gary Gait a good look at the youngsters.
The Mammoth took a pretty significant hit in the expansion draft offensively, losing veterans Chris Gill and Dan Stroup. Both were taken by Chicago and then traded to Edmonton to lead a revamped Rush roster. Gill (45pts) and Stroup (34pts) both were consistent contributors for Colorado last season. Also lost this season is all-star transition player Jay Jalbert, who suffered a concussion late last season and has chosen to sit out in 2007. Josh Sims and Ben Prepchuk should step up to fill the role of Gill and Stroup, while the void in the transition game left by Jalbert could be tough to replace.
On defense, veteran net-minder Gee Nash continues to rank amongst the league best in goal while the rest of the back-end remains virtually in tact from last season. Veteran defenders John Gallant, Jamie Hanford, Rich Catton, Pat Coyle, Tom Ethington and Dave Stilley all return to the Mammoth defense.
Colorado Mammoth - 2006 Recap
Finish: NLL Champions
Regular Season Record: 10-6
Post Season Record: 3-0
Home Record: 6-2
Road Record: 4-4
Goals For: 200 * league best
Goals Against: 172
2007 Roster (as of December 20th)
Number - Player, Position
2 - Pat Coyle, Defenseman
3 - Mike Law, Forward
4 - Josh Sims, Transition
5 - Jamie Hanford, Defenseman
6 - Brian Langtry, Forward
8 - Nick Carlson, Transition
9 - Gavin Prout, Forward
11 - John Gallant, Defenseman
12 - Gary Bining, Forward
18 - Nenad Gajic, Transition
19 - Ben Prepchuk, Forward
20 - Kevin Olson, Forward
28 - Tom Ethington, Defenseman
30 - Chris Levis, Goalie
37 - Andrew Burkholder, Forward
38 - Gee Nash, Goalie
44 - Dan Carey, Forward
47 - Jason Bloom, Transition
48 - Rich Catton, Defenseman
66 - Matt Leveque, Defenseman
72 - Jordan Cornfield, Forward
77 - Dave Stilley, Defenseman
85 - Jamie Shewchuk, Forward
Head Coach: Gary Gait
Assistant Coach / Offensive Coordinator: Russ Heard
Assistant Coach/ Defensive Coordinator: Dan Pratt
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