Mammoth Sign Goaltender Dillon Ward to Four-Year Deal

August 4, 2023 By: James Youness, Mammoth PR

DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) today announced the organization has signed goaltender Dillon Ward to a four-year contract agreement, set to begin during the 2023-24 NLL campaign.

“Dillon is our franchise player. When he’s on, our team is on,” Mammoth General Manager Brad Self said. “He’s proven time and time again, the bigger the game, the better he plays. We’re fortunate that he’s our guy and we couldn’t be happier to have him for four more years.

Just one season after leading the Mammoth to its second NLL Championship en route to being named the 2022 NLL MVP, Ward recorded six points (0g, 6a), 11 loose balls, two caused turnovers and eight penalty minutes in 17 regular season appearances.

Accumulating a .780 save percentage, 11.19 goals-against average and 632 saves amidst a 9-7 regular season record, the All-Pro talent again anchored the team’s veteran-led defense on the floor and in the locker room. Rising to the occasion when the postseason dawned, the decorated netminder added three points and three loose balls while recording 285 saves, a .792 save percentage and 10.77 goals-against average to secure a 4-3 record and second-consecutive trip to the NLL Finals.

Originally selected by Colorado during the 2013 NLL Entry Draft (first round, 3rd overall), Ward has helped the Mammoth secure a playoff berth for each of his seasons in net, racking up 75 points (0g, 75a), 127 loose balls and nine caused turnovers in 152 regular season appearances. Establishing a .786 career save percentage and 10.95 goals-against average throughout nine seasons of work, the Denver resident has amassed a franchise-leading 5,365 saves and 69-59 record.

In 23 postseason games played, the Orangeville, Ontario native has added 12 points (0g ,12a), 16 loose balls and one caused turnover, logging a .782 save percentage and 11.35 goals-against average while making a combined 920 saves. Sitting atop the franchise leader books with 69 career wins, 7995:53 goaltender minutes and 5,366 saves, the 6-5, 195-lb. talent also ranks third all-time in games played (152 GP).

Most recently guiding Team Canada to a silver medal finish at the 2023 World Men’s Lacrosse Championship this summer, the talented goaltender typically spends his summers staying sharp in the crease with the Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League.

Hired on as the organization’s Lacrosse Development Manager in August 2022, Ward has remained dedicated to growing the game of lacrosse throughout Colorado through youth camps, school visits and beyond. An experienced coach at the youth, club and high school level, Ward continues to coach the 2025 Denver Pride squad alongside his wife.

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