DENVER – When soon-to-be third-year netminder Nathan Whittom joins the rest of the Burgundy Boys this fall for the Colorado Mammoth’s 2026 NLL Training Camp, he’ll revert to his “understudy” role, as All-World goaltender Dillon Ward remains the team’s ace in net.
However, when October rolls around, he might still be riding a bit of the high he experienced this past weekend, as the 20-year-old standout led his Jr. A Raiders Lacrosse squad to a 2026 Minto Cup victory north of the border.
Which just happens to double as the organization’s first-ever Minto Cup win!
“It feels unbelievable to do it with all of these guys, my best friends, right, and to make history in Alberta,” Whittom shared with the HNLive crew following the win.
“That’s what Alberta Lacrosse is about and it’s just super special to do it with this group of guys.”
Primed to turn just 21 at the end of August, the Elmira, Ontario native was able to enjoy a few good times with friends, teammates and family in Calgary surrounding the most prestigious tournament in youth box lacrosse existence.
Then again, there’s a good chance those team dinners and bonding sessions are what helped Whittom and company gather some momentum and establish a brotherhood sincere enough to make a run.
And to see their early-career dreams come true.
“Since getting here, just seeing how tight-knit of a group this is,” Whittom added.
“It’s not just at the rink we’re bonding: It’s throughout the week, whether it’s at practice, or away from practice. We’re going out for team dinners or whatever, right, so it’s just special how tight this group is and the bond we have.”
With Colorado Mammoth Assistant General Manager and Defensive Coordinator Andrew McBride remaining in the mix as a multi-role contributor for the Canadian club, it’s no surprise creating and maintaining relationships within the club was top of mind.
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Just like in the NLL (National Lacrosse League), the presence and passion associated with going to war with – or for – your brothers will always give teams a leg up when endgame competition looms.
“The reason I came to the Raiders was to get this Minto Cup. Shoutout to the coaching staff. All of those guys have instilled confidence in this group throughout the year and I couldn’t be happier,” Whittom concluded.
Rocking a shorter haircut than usual, complemented by a young man’s mustache, it was clear the kid was locked in from the moment the team began its historic six-game stretch.
Starting his postseason journey between the pipes via a perfect 3-0 slate in round robin play, he produced an .839 save percentage and 6.33 goals-against average across his three games played.
Standing out in a big way when the team’s second round robin matchup loomed, Whittom relinquished just two goals against during a 5-2 win over the Victoria Shamrocks – a game in which the young Ontario talent made 40 saves on 42 shots faced (which comes out to a stunning .952 save percentage).
Eventually helping his Raiders’ unit secure a spot in the Minto Cup Finals against the aforementioned Shamrocks, he went on to post a 2-1 Finals record, limiting the Shamrocks to just six goals against during the team’s 9-6 Game 3 win.
Sporting a 5-1 record throughout the Minto, Whittom only allowed double-digit goals against in one of six contests and should bring a refreshed sense of pride, if not confidence, to Training Camp.
Mammoth fans can stay tuned to coloradomammoth.com and Colorado Mammoth social media channels for the team’s latest news, transactions and beyond.
