Former Defenseman Owen Rahn Transitions to Forward During Sophomore Season

DENVER – re: one of coloradomammoth.com’s most recent season recap highlighting Jalen Chaster’s career-best campaign, No. 71 isn’t the only member of the Colorado Mammoth who can hold his own on both ends of the floor.

There are several guys who could handle a shift here or there.

But after seeing the wheels, power and finishing skills of one Owen Rahn throughout his rookie lap around the National Lacrosse League (NLL) back in 2024-25, the 21-year-old was converted from a defenseman in year one to a sincere scoring threat during his sophomore season.

Finishing with the sixth-most goals on the squad despite the 2025-26 slate representing his first campaign operating in the O-zone, the kid they call “Rahner” checked boxes left and right as he gained some confidence regularly wielding the rock.

Ending the year by producing new offensive career-highs including goals (14), assists (five) and points (19), the right-handed scorer made the most of his opportunities once fellow righty Ryan Lee went down early in the year due to injury.

After recording just three goals during his inaugural season, Rahn went on to earn his career-first NLL hat trick during his third appearance of the year en route to helping the team capture a 15-11 win over the Oshawa FireWolves.

Just two games later, No. 7 doubled down, earning another hat trick – this time against during a dramatic 13-12 victory over the Las Vegas Desert Dogs.

Fast forward three games: to when Rahn logged a new career-best four points (2g, 2a) while helping the Mammoth secure a tight 14-12 decision over the San Diego Seals at Ball Arena.

He wasn’t always all over the scoresheet, but he showed up when the lights were brightest.

Notching at least one goal in seven of his first eight games played on the year, he began understanding his role in the offense, regularly taking advantage of space allotted by opposing defenses sending double-teams to guard the likes of Jack Hannah and friends around the set.

The youngster managed at least one point in nine of his 13 regular season appearances – which might not sound like a whole lot, but knowing he didn’t get that many quality looks in an offense which continuously fed Hannah, Andrew Kew, Will Malcom and friends, sure seems encouraging from the outside looking in.

And while he spent a majority of his second season setting picks and absorbing plenty of knowledge and wisdom in the O-zone, Rahn’s reliability and speed allowed Head Coach Pat Coyle and company to dispatch him on defense for a few shifts here and there.

He’s a bit of a unicorn. Which is a good descriptor in a sport and league which continues to value flexibility and the willingness to own several roles on the turf.

We don’t know where he’ll slot into things in year three, but we know he’ll be all over the floor once the team’s 2026 Colorado Mammoth Training Camp starts up this fall in Lakewood, Colorado.

Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the latest news, transactions and beyond!