DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) are set to head East this weekend as the league prepares to host the 2023 NLL Entry Draft ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The NLL draft is always an exciting time of year,” Mammoth General Manager Brad Self said. This year’s draft is deep with talent and we’re excited to add pieces to our roster who can not only help us win now but in the future. Our staff has worked hard in preparation for the draft and we’re excited to see how it plays out on Saturday.”
Set to take place on Saturday, September 16, each of the league’s 15 teams will gather inside the Toronto Rock Athletic Center (TRAC) to usher in the next wave of professional lacrosse talent.
With the action set to begin at Noon MT, the Mammoth will look to secure future talent, the Mammoth will enter Saturday’s draft with five picks, including selections in the second (34th overall), third (43rd overall), fourth (67th), fifth (81st) and sixth (96th) rounds.
RELATED: Mammoth Sign 2022 NLL Entry Draft Selection Owen Down
Having signed its 2022 first-round (15th overall) selection in defenseman Owen Down to a two-year contract last month, the organization opted into sending its 2023 first-rounder (14th overall) to the Albany FireWolves last week in exchange for forward Connor Kelly. Kelly, who’s coming off a career-best 67-point (35g, 32a) season, is expected to contribute immediately, as the right-handed scorer will join the likes of Zed Williams, Eli McLaughlin and company in fueling the team’s talented offensive unit.
Colorado has very much enjoyed an active summer, re-signing several of its veterans to returning deals while welcoming five new guys to the team, who are now set to make their debut in burgundy and black this November during the team’s training camp sessions inside Foothills Fieldhouse.
RELATED: Mammoth Sign Defenseman Bryce Tolmie Ahead of 2023 NLL Entry Draft
Most recently signing defenseman Bryce Tolmie to a two-year deal Friday afternoon, the organization has added four defenseman (Tolmie, Paul Dawson, Nate Wade, Kris Veltman) in total, while also inking goaltender Kaleb Martin to a two-year contract as the team prepares to sort its personnel depth at both positions heading into the 2023-24 season.
While a majority of the team’s active roster spots are essentially penciled in with long-time team members, there will potentially be a few spots up for grabs at training camp this fall.
Between free agent signings, players from prior draft selections able to proclaim professional eligibility after exhausting their collegiate season totals, and potentially even draftees from this year’s rendition, training camp will feature several new faces.
As far as what Self and the organization has planned for its selections Saturday afternoon, there’s no way to be certain until the draft itself rolls around, but the front office has never shied away from draft day activity, and could be potentially active once again this year as Colorado looks to make another run at the NLL Finals after qualifying for the best-of-three series for the past two postseasons.
Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for an upcoming post-draft recap and all 2023 NLL Entry Draft occurrences!
