Hanford, Stilley and Carlson Re-sign with Mammoth

[Sonny]

DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth welcomed back three of its core players Tuesday, re-signing faceoff master Jamie Hanford and defensive standout Dave Stilley to two-year contracts, and reaching a one-year agreement with speedy transition man Nick Carlson.

Hanford, a two-time National Lacrosse League All-Star who has led the league in faceoff winning percentage in each of the last four seasons, won 280 of 420 faceoffs in 2005 for a .667 average. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman from Darien, Conn., added seven assists and picked up 63 loose balls while starting all 16 games for the Mammoth last season.

"Jamie Hanford is a rock," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "He contributes so much to this team by getting us the ball in key situations, and his grit and toughness are unmatched."

Stilley, who like Hanford was a Mammoth assistant captain last season, has anchored the Mammoth defense since being acquired during the 2003 season. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Philadelphia native scored a career-high two goals and added five assists last season. The former Duke University All-American won NLL championships with the Philadelphia Wings in 1998 and 2001 before being traded to the Mammoth.

Carlson, whose great speed makes him a valuable transition player, re-signed with the Mammoth after having the most successful season of his three-year career in 2005. The 6-foot, 205-pound native of Nanaimo, British Columbia, set career-highs with six goals, 12 assists and 18 points last season. He played in all 16 games of the regular season for the first time in his career and also set personal bests with 61 loose balls and 38 penalty minutes.

"All three of these guys play very important roles on this team and their signings today give us confidence that we will be successful in the upcoming season," Govett said.