DENVER – It’s never been about the size of the dog in the fight.
The Mammoth organization has always valued the size of the fight in the dog.
And if you notice in this article’s header photo, scrappy forward Thomas Vela is rocking No. 98 threads: Better known as a blood jersey in professional sports.
Weighing in at just 170 lbs. yet standing tall at 5-10, Vela earned a five-minute major by absolutely dominating an exchanging of fisticuffs against an opposing Buffalo Bandits player who had just about every physical advantage over the man who typically wears No. 17.
The area of expertise Vela used to exit said exchange with a slight “win” for the team while drumming up some much-needed momentum?
Heart. The kid’s got heart.
Which is hard to measure in professional sports these days.
Especially in a sport in which physicality runs rampant.
Operating as one of the team’s left-handed threats for the third-consecutive season since the Mammoth organization acquired the hard-working talent from the Calgary Roughnecks back in 2024, he’s lived in the shadows of Andrew Kew, Will Malcom, Eli McLaughlin and folks.
Yet, he’s one of the biggest stars in the locker room and wherever the team travels.
Partially because he’s an entertaining, chirp-forward guy.
But equally because guys like captain Robert Hope and friends understand they’re going to get 110% every time he steps on the floor. And for a guy who’s been in and out of the lineup over the past three seasons, he brings the same effort and energy level at scrimmages, practices and beyond.
It’s not easy earning the team’s annual Jamie Hanford Award, which is presented to the squad’s most inspirational teammate. And when you see Vela listed amongst company including guys like John Grant Jr., Joey Cupido and other Mammoth legends, it’s a reflection of just how much of an award like that really means to a storied franchise like Colorado’s.
And just how much Vela meant and means to this team.
His role off the floor grew significantly during his fourth professional campaign despite only dressing for 12 games, as he battled some injuries throughout the year.
When he was suited and booted, he was one of the most ferocious and dedicated body-movers an offense can have. For as much distraction that Malcom can cause just by standing in a set, it was Vela who often paved the way for Kew’s long-range conversions.
He loves a good team celebration, and was often one of the first to jog over to whoever lit the lamp.
Having racked up 26 points (9g, 17a) of his own, he helped power one of Colorado’s most efficient and effective offensive groupings in recent history. Adding 33 loose balls, one caused turnover and 15 penalty minutes to his year 4 resume, Vela brought his scrappiness with him at each stop around the NLL circuit, yet remained disciplined – all while drawing a handful of fouls for battling game in and out.
Set to return to the fold this fall alongside McLaughlin, Malcom, Kew and friends, Vela prepares to enter his fifth NLL campaign in Lakewood, Colorado, which will host the opening weekend of 2026 Colorado Mammoth Training Camp in just a few short months!
Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the latest news, transactions and beyond!
