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Sorry for the late response on this question, obviously we had some things in the works and answering would have made things difficult.
We have completed a three way trade with the Edmonton Rush and the Minnesota Swarm, we have sent Ryan Powell to the Rush, Callum Crawford was sent to the Swarm and Chad Culp joins the Mammoth.
We are excited to have Chad join us, he is an especially gritty left handed offensive player that is not afraid to go through the middle and into the corners for loose balls. We like his ability to set hard picks to get others open in the offense and isn't afraid to mix it up when necessary. He is exactly the type of player that the new Mammoth offense is looking for.
Ryan Powell had informed us that we should move on without him for the upcoming season. We had discussions throughout the preseason and had hoped that we could agree to terms. Ryan was not willing to accept our offer to play in this fantastic organization and become a role player in our offense so we chose to go in a different direction.
Once this was decided we had the opportunity to sign a real competitor in Peter Veltman, Peter is a very versatile right hander that will fit very well into our offense. Much like Chad, Peter is gritty, he can score and he penetrates the middle, and gets others open, all of our right handers are very excited about what he brings to the right side.
We are focusing great attention on compiling a roster of players that want to be here for the right reasons, we feel we are very close to accomplishing this. The players you will see this season will be dedicated to their teammates and the logo on the front rather than the name on the back.
Colorado is a tremendous place to play, great ownership and great fans, you deserve more than what we have given the last two seasons. It is changing, and it starts with personnel in the locker room.
To answer the other question, players can be in camp without a contract by signing "waivers", this is not ideal and not something the Mammoth partake in, if players are not under contract we do not have them in camp with other players that are. Powell was not under contract for our first camp and did not participate.
I have also seen some discussion regarding Chris Levis. He was released from the Rush late last week. I have been contacted by both he and his agent, and I have informed them at this time that we are very happy with the three goalies that we have in camp in Andy Leyshon, Curtis Palidwor and draft pick Neil Tyacke. I expressed that it wouldn't be fair to these three dedicated individuals, two of which stepped up last year in a difficult season with a depleted defense in front of them, to bring in another goalie this late in the process to take one of their jobs. Confidence is a big thing with goalies and we are very confident in Leysh and Pali.
We go to Everett, Wash. this weekend for practice and a scrimmage with the Stealth, we will give you a run down after the weekend on how we looked.
SG
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