DENVER – Nations have competed head-to-head in various sports for hundreds of years now.
But the passion and grind associated with representing one’s nation feels special each and every time the opportunity comes around – especially when the red, white and blue athletes know there’s a good chance the red and white nation will appear on the competition slate.
And very much vice versa.
So, when a chance to qualify for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship is up for grabs, despite being hosted in the warm region of Jamaica and during the dog days of summer, you bet your ass guys are going to do whatever they can to get involved.
Enter Colorado Mammoth forward Will Malcom, who spends his winters competing within the National Lacrosse League (NLL), while remaining unafraid to spread his summertime schedule around a bit.
For a majority of this summer, the 26-year-old has been developing his golf game while healing up from an action-packed, yet physically grueling, 2025-26 session with the Mammoth.
The 2024 Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) MVP, himself, participated in 10 regular season games with the New Westminster Salmonbellies, continuing to support his hometown squad while posting a welcome 31 points (16g, 15a) for Mammoth Offensive Coordinator Jason Bishop, who serves as the team’s Head Coach.
However, when Malcom got the call to don the red and white uniform for Team Canada during the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship in Kingston, Jamaica, it was an easy decision to head south.
Despite primarily serving as a box talent over the years, Malcom managed four goals (4g, 0a) throughout the seven-day tournament and found himself rocking some golden hardware by the time the competition ended, as Team Canada pulled of a dramatic comeback win.
With the red and white contingent down 8-5 at the start of the fourth quarter, it was all Team Canada to conclude the contest, as they went on to claim a 9-8 victory courtesy of a last-minute, momentum-driven push.
However, both nations will likely run into each again soon enough, when the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan rolls around, with the red, white and blue nation remaining the defending champs.
Canada and the U.S. joined Haudenosaunee, Jamaica and Puerto Rico as the five teams set to advance to next year’s showdown.
As for Willy Malcs?
He got another taste of winning on the international level just months before the 2026 Colorado Mammoth Training Camp is primed to begin in Lakewood – all while keeping his stick hot!
Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the team’s latest news, transactions and beyond.
Photo credit: World Lacrosse/worldlacrosse.sport
