Mammoth Sign Four as 2026 NLL Free Agency Frenzy Continues

DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced the organization signed defenseman Nikko DiPonio and forwards Ryan Favaro, Finn Halladay and Oskar Lucas to respective three-year contract agreements Monday, set to begin during the league’s 2026-27 campaign.

DiPonio, 23, most recently recorded six ground balls and one caused turnover during his two games played as a rookie with the Utah Archers of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).

Prior to turning pro this spring, the 5-10, 190-lb. talent spent four seasons at the University of Utah where he racked up 18 points (7g, 11a), 301 ground balls and 108 caused turnovers in 63 career collegiate appearances.

The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native’s 301 ground balls continue to represent the second-most in the university’s history, while DiPonio holds school records for the most CTOs caused in a game (6), season (37) and career (108) as the two-time ASUN (Atlantic Sun Conference) Defensive Player of the Year (2025, 2026) brought a feisty, physical playstyle to the field from 2023-26.

Favaro, 23, recorded 70 points (41g, 29a), 38 ground balls and six caused turnovers during his 55 career appearances as an attack at Colgate University from 2023-26.

The Coquitlam, British Columbia native spent his rookie professional campaign with the Burnaby Lakers of the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) this past summer where he ranked third in team scoring with 40 points (25g, 15a) in 14 games played.

Favaro also helped Mammoth Head Coach Pat Coyle and company capture the 2024 Minto Cup with the Jr. A Coquitlam Adanacs of the British Columbia Jr. A Lacrosse League (BCJALL) by chipping in 11 points (4g, 77a) in his five postseason contests. Across the left-handed forward’s Jr. A career, Favaro logged 75 points (24g, 51) in 37 regular season appearances while adding 48 points (22g, 26a) in his 26 playoff games played from 2021-24.

Halladay, 23, was one of two players ranked ahead of Favaro in scoring for Burnaby this summer, as Halladay notched 49 points (16g, 33a) in 17 appearances with the Lakers. In 2025, the right-handed finisher logged nine points (3g, 6a) in a limited role with the WLA’s Langley Thunder.

The Penticton, British Columbia native also earned 31 points (17g, 14a) in 13 games during his 2024 Jr. A campaign with the BCJALL’s Port Coquitlam Saints before adding 23 points (13g, 10a) in 10 games during the team’s postseason quest for the Minto Cup.

Finn is also the son of Del Halladay, who played 10 seasons in the NLL from 1998-2007, including one season with the Washington Power (2002) and the first two seasons in Mammoth history (2003, 2004).

Lucas, 19, most recently tied for the third-most points during the 2026 BCJALL season with 72 points (32g, 40a) in 18 regular season appearances between the Burnaby Lakers (12) and Port Coquitlam Saints (6). The lefty added 10 points (6g, 4a) in four playoff games with the Saints.

The 6-3, 195-lb. Vancouver, British Columbia native won the 2025 Minto Cup with the Coquitlam Adanacs alongside Mammoth Head Coach Pat Coyle and defenseman Jalen Chaster, who serves as an assistant coach for the squad. Throughout his 53 regular season contests at the Jr. A level, Lucas has racked up 152 points (77g, 75a), adding 74 points (48g, 26a) in 29 career playoff appearances.

Lucas also earned the league’s John Urban Award for Graduating Player in 2026. The award recognizes graduating players who demonstrate ability, sportsmanship and all-around contributions to the continued growth of their club, while also considering their contributions to the league and minor lacrosse.

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