Colorado Mammoth Message Board

Did Jay Jalbert retire due to injuries officially or is there any chance that he may play again? If so, do they Mammoth own his rights or would he be an unrestricted free agent? Thanks

_________________
2006 NLL CHAMPIONS!!!!

Jay continues to consider his situation continually. We have been in regular contact with Jay and while we don't expect him to play again this year, we always hold out hope that his personal situation may change.

Jay is a very successful business person and continues to contribute to the game of lacrosse with his focus on filmmaking. His time has become very constrained recently and his ability to spend the countless hours working out and travelling to Denver to play games has become impossible. He always tells me that when he changes his mind I will be the first to know.

His current official status is on our protected player list, should he ever decide to come back, he has told me it will be with the Mammoth, and he will be considered a restricted free agent at the time.

We expect to see him in Denver for some games this season and he remains a special part of this organziation.

SG

Steve,
In my opinion, the Mammoth missed Jay's toughness last year. Is there anyone currently in the organization that can bring his level of intensity to the table?

_________________
Who has the Mic? A Doosh!

I am from BC and have seen all of the BC boys play.

I was a ver suprised when Matt Wilson dropped as low as he did in the draft, but I suppose the knee injury had something to do with it.

But this kid from all I have seen of him is one of the toughest most intense lacrosse players I have seen. He is a defender but he was easily the best open floor hitter in Junior lacrosse last season, he can run the floor and he puts up with no stupid stuff from the other team.

What is the likelihood of him playing this year Steve? I am not sure of his injury status but he seems like a rookie who could jump in an play? Also is he a 20 year old or is his Junior profile wrong?

To answer both posts...

Jay Jalbert was certainly a gritty ball player, he played with a reckless abandon that has been unmatched in this league by many players. His athletic ability alone made him a difficult player to replace.

The player that has replaced Jay has been Nenad Gajic, in his first year with the team was very close to the same offensive output as Jalbert. Nenad's defensive skills are as solid as they come, he doesn't cheat to get his offensive opportunities so whatever he lacks at the offensive end he makes up for significantly on the defensive end. He is certainly not as flashy as Jay but there is no question the substance is there. Honestly I wish we had both of them!!!

Matt Wilson is a 20 year old, he entered the draft early even with his injury because he saw an opportunity to be drafted by the Mammoth. He expressed his interest in playing here and will be a very solid contributor in the future for this team. Everyone on our staff is very excited that we were able to secure him where we did. If he was healthy in this draft I have no doubt he would have been a first rounder, easily, perhaps a high first rounder.

He will have this season to rehab and learn from some of the best veteran defenders in the game. We have no need to push Matt to play this season but if he happens to be healthy and available then look out!!!

SG