In looking to the future of the organization and addressing needs on its offensive end, the Colorado Mammoth announced a trade Monday morning that sent former Mammoth defenseman and captain Dan Coates to the Georgia Swarm in exchange for forward Zed Williams and an interchanging of 2020 NLL Entry Draft selections.
“We’re very fortunate that Dan was an integral part of our organization for nearly a decade and recognize the positive impact he’s made on the game of lacrosse and throughout the Denver community,” Colorado Mammoth Assistant General Manager Brad Self shared.
Despite only recording five points (2g, 3a) and 32 loose balls in 12 contests during the shortened 2019-20 season, it’s Coates’ leadership and locker room presence that the organization will miss the most.
Originally drafted by the Mammoth eighth overall in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft, Coates spent nine seasons with Colorado, where he accumulated 75 points (15g, 60a), 122 penalty minutes, 492 loose balls and 139 caused turnovers in 128 career games. The defenseman also rotated in to take faceoffs over the years, securing 477 faceoff wins for the Mammoth. Coates posted 6 points (1g, 5a), 28 loose balls and 13 caused turnovers in 10 postseason appearances with the Mammoth.
The longtime Mammoth defenseman departs the organization ranked among franchise leaders in several categories, including:
Games Played: 128 (4th)
Loose Balls: 492 (7th)
Caused Turnovers: 139 (2nd)
Faceoff Wins: 477 (4th)
Adding to his personal accolades, the four-year captain (2016-19) and two-time assistant captain (2014, 2015) secured two Jay Jalbert Awards as the organization’s Teammate of the Year (2016, 2019) and earned two Dave Stilley Awards as the team’s Best Defenseman during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
While the former captain regularly delivered on the field and helped establish Colorado as an elite defensive unit, it’s often his leadership qualities and charismatic, teammate-first attitude that allowed him to rise as a leader and captain of the team.
Post-game interviews, fan autograph sessions, early-morning practices or late-night flights; Dan was there with a smile, a sharpie and a professional demeanor. A regular participant in youth lacrosse programs, community initiatives and partnership activations, Coates personified the Mammoth brand and represented the organization in professional fashion.
“Dan defines what it means to be a professional athlete, teammate, player, person and captain,” Self shared. “We can’t thank Dan enough for all that he’s done for the Colorado Mammoth organization. We wish him nothing but the best.”
The defenseman shared a few thoughts and thanked the organization on social media Tuesday:
To the Mammoth Family,
It’s been an emotional few days to say the least and I appreciate the kind words from people that have reached out. The Mammoth organization is all I’ve ever known. It’s been my home for 9 years. I’ve seen teammates, coaches, GMs, support staff & front office come and go and now it’s my turn. You never think you’re going to get the call but when you do you’re flooded with mixed emotions. It tugs at you many ways. All you can do is reflect. I remember sitting in a hotel in downtown Toronto in the fall of 2011 hoping to have my name called to play in the NLL. Steve Govett and Bob Hamley took a chance on me and I never looked back. It was a perfect fit. I fell in love with city of Denver, the people, the fans, the weather, the mountains, the organization – it was me. In many ways it shaped me into the person I am today. I loved every second of playing for the Mammoth. I loved leading this team. I loved meeting our passionate fans and the great people in the community. It was something I took a lot of pride in. It was truly some of the best years of my life and that’s why it hurts. It crushes me that we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal. And that’s why I played and will continue to this day. It meant the world to me to lead this team. My hope is I left everything I possibly could on and off the floor for the Mammoth organization. There’s not enough words for the gratitude I have to the countless people who have entered into my life in my time playing for Colorado. It’s those relationships I’ll cherish the most. My time as a member of the Colorado Mammoth is something I’ll carry in my heart forever. We’ll see you again Loud House! Thank you!
Coatesy 37
