With the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, the Colorado Mammoth is pleased to present the recipients of this year’s team awards. An annual occurrence, Mammoth players and staff vote for individual players who best exemplified the leadership and production qualities associated with each award and former Colorado Mammoth player in which the awards were named after. Mammoth players and staff have taken place in the tradition since the 2015 season.
The awards, named after former Mammoth greats, represent various aspects of the game, both on and off the floor. Team MVP, Best Offenseman, Best Defenseman, Teammate of the Year and Most Inspirational round out the traditional five awards. The annual regular season celebration concludes with the Fan Choice Award, a unique opportunity which encourages the Mammoth faithful to vote for their favorite player of the season.
Fan Choice Award – Joey Cupido
“Joey has been a member of the Mammoth family for nearly a decade now, and he truly understands what it means to represent our team and brand on the floor and in the community,” Mammoth Assistant General Manager Brad Self said. “He connects with our fans like they’re teammates of his own and brings that excitement factor to the Loud House when he’s on the floor – definitely a fitting honor.”
Previous Winners:
2019 – Jeff Wittig
2018 – Joey Cupido
2017 – Josh Sullivan
2016 – Jordan Gilles
2015 – Joey Cupido
Number 82 for the Mammoth, number one in your hearts! In his eighth season with the Colorado Mammoth, Cupido provided countless highlights at both ends of the floor, but perhaps his electrifying transition game and turf-length, charismatic connections with goaltender Dillon Ward stole the thunder this season. They call him “Lightning” for a reason, and the hastiness doesn’t stop at the end of the match, as the Hamilton native is usually one of the first back on the turf for post-game autograph sessions and photographs with Loud House regulars. As an assistant captain and transition defenseman, it’s rare to see Cupido taking a breather; as a leader in the locker room and Denver community, it’s rare to see Lightning without a contagious smile or taking on an adventurous challenge.
You’ve probably either witnessed a stellar Cupido breakaway or watched one of his highlight finishes so many times that you envision being in the arena that night. Either way, the two-time (2015, 2018) Transition Player of the Year continued to build on his fast-paced, high-energy game with several outstanding performances during the season. The veteran racked up a hat trick among his season-best five points (3g, 2a) Jan. 4 during a 13-9 divisional victory over the Vancouver Warriors, but it was his second-quarter goal that had the Loud House rocking. Following a routine Dillon Ward save, the netminder scooped the ball up in his crease and sent a high-flying, turf-length laser to a surging Cupido, who secured the pass mid-stride inside Vancouver’s D-zone and converted after a series of pump fakes. Mammoth fans seem to enjoy his presence, as the honor marks his third Fan Choice Award.
The true definition of a threat on offense, defense and special teams, Cupido tied Vancouver’s Mitch Jones for first in the NLL with three shorthanded goals and ranked tied for fifth among the league’s transition players with 16 points (7g, 9a) in 13 contests. The veteran finished the season ranked among Mammoth leaders in loose balls (3rd), caused turnovers (T2nd), shorthanded goals (1st), points (7th) and assists (6th) and recorded four multi-point games during the shortened 2019-20 regular season.
