The Gajic brothers, Ilija, Nenard Alex, are in for an interesting season in Colorado with the new additions of John Grant and Mac Allen at their side. How is this going to affect their play, and how will their's affect the Colorado Mammoth? Here is your player preview, Alex, Nenard and Ilija Gajic.
Let's start off with Nenard, the oldest of the Gajic brothers. He was the #39 overall pick of the San Jose Stealth in the 2004 NLL draft. He became a free agent after he did not sign and sat out two seasons, as he wanted to pursue a hockey career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Before 2007, Nenard signed with the Colorado Mammoth. In 2007, he scored 37 points and was named to the all-rookie team and the all-star team. Nenard is also the captain of the New Westminster Salmonbellies in the Western Lacrosse Association, but he missed the entire 2009 season because of injury.
Alex, in his first NLL season, was 38th in the NLL in points. Alex was the #5 overall pick by the Mammoth in the 2009 entry draft. He played at Denver University and the Junior A Barnaby Lakers before the NLL. At DU, he played 13 games while scoring 16 goals and six assists. In Burnaby, he was named team MVP as he led them to two championships.
Last season on Colorado Alex scored 26 goals in 16 games with 22 assists and 57 loose balls.
Ilija was originally selected #2 overall by the Rochester Knighthawks in the 2009 NLL draft. He was traded to Colorado for lon time fan favorite Gavin Prount. Ilija joined his brother Alex as a rookie on Colorado. In ten games, he scored 16 goals with 11 assists and 54 loose balls. He also attended the University of Denver. Ilija suffered a few injuries during the season, which held him to only ten games.
The Mammoth have locked up all three Gajic brothers for the upcoming season, with Mammoth general manager Steve Govett saying, “We want the Gajic brothers to be an integral part of this team for years to come,”
The Gajic brothers look to be on a better offensive club this season, with the additions of John Grant and Mac Allen, as well as Jamie Shewchuck returning. As the two Gajic brothers return for their Sophomore season, and Nenard returns a veteran, the Mammoth as a whole look to return a better team.
Showing posts with label Alex Gajic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Gajic. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NLL Preview Colorado Mammoth
The NLL Draft will be soon upon us. The NLL season is now only a few months away, and it's time to preview them.
The Mammoth had their worst season in franchise history last season, finishing last in the west and in the NLL. The year before, Colorado was the last seed to make the playoffs in the west, but lost in the first round to the champion Calgary.
The Mammoth's biggest problem last season was their goaltending. Their starting goaltender, Andrew Leyshon, had the worst goals against average in the NLL at 13.38 and only a .718 save percentage. That is one thing the Mammoth have sured up this offseason; Goaltending.
The Mammoth were in a good spot when the Titan's dispersal came with the #1 pick. They could have had last year's MP Casey Powell, but they went with the goaltender of the year, Matt Vinc. Last season Vinc was third in GAA and S%. That sures up their biggest issue.
The Mammoth did not have any of their runners in the top 20 goals scored. In fact, their highest goal scorer was ranked 22nd in the league, Jamie Shewchuk. After him at 23d was Brian Langtry. Even with Vinc between the pipes this season, the Mammoth will need better scoring from their veterans. Alex Gajic is their next ranking scorer. Gajic had a great rookie season, competing for rookie of the year. But this season he will need to take the next step to become a true goal scorer in this league.
The Mammoth, even with their horrible record, did have a shot at the playoffs with two weeks left. Minnesota had gone cold and the Mammoth had a game in Boston. If they won the next two and Minnesota lost, they could have still made it. But Colorado lost a heart breaker to Boston, one of the best games of the year in the NLL. The Mammoth showed fight even when there was little hope left. The Mammoth will compete for a playoff spot again this season.
The Mammoth had their worst season in franchise history last season, finishing last in the west and in the NLL. The year before, Colorado was the last seed to make the playoffs in the west, but lost in the first round to the champion Calgary.
The Mammoth's biggest problem last season was their goaltending. Their starting goaltender, Andrew Leyshon, had the worst goals against average in the NLL at 13.38 and only a .718 save percentage. That is one thing the Mammoth have sured up this offseason; Goaltending.
The Mammoth were in a good spot when the Titan's dispersal came with the #1 pick. They could have had last year's MP Casey Powell, but they went with the goaltender of the year, Matt Vinc. Last season Vinc was third in GAA and S%. That sures up their biggest issue.
The Mammoth did not have any of their runners in the top 20 goals scored. In fact, their highest goal scorer was ranked 22nd in the league, Jamie Shewchuk. After him at 23d was Brian Langtry. Even with Vinc between the pipes this season, the Mammoth will need better scoring from their veterans. Alex Gajic is their next ranking scorer. Gajic had a great rookie season, competing for rookie of the year. But this season he will need to take the next step to become a true goal scorer in this league.
The Mammoth, even with their horrible record, did have a shot at the playoffs with two weeks left. Minnesota had gone cold and the Mammoth had a game in Boston. If they won the next two and Minnesota lost, they could have still made it. But Colorado lost a heart breaker to Boston, one of the best games of the year in the NLL. The Mammoth showed fight even when there was little hope left. The Mammoth will compete for a playoff spot again this season.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
LeBlanc Rookie of the Year, Powell MVP
Stephen LeBlanc of the Toronto Rock was named Rookie of the Year. LeBlanc, the 11th overall pick from Queens, scored 82 points (36) goals and helped lead the Rock to the Champions Cup. The rest of the all rookie team is Garret Billings (Rock), Alex Gajic (Mammoth), Curtis Manning (Roughnecks), Matt Beers (Stealth) and Chris Corbeil (Bandits). I find it intriguing that Ryan Hotaling did not make this list.
Anyways congrats to Stephen and the Rock!
UPDATE: Casey Powell of the Orlando Titans will be named MVP of the NLL. First team all- NLL: Powell (Titans), Josh Sanderson (Roughnecks), Dan Dawson (Blazers), Brodie Merill (Rush), Sandy Chapman (Rock) and Matt Vinc (Titans)
Anyways congrats to Stephen and the Rock!
UPDATE: Casey Powell of the Orlando Titans will be named MVP of the NLL. First team all- NLL: Powell (Titans), Josh Sanderson (Roughnecks), Dan Dawson (Blazers), Brodie Merill (Rush), Sandy Chapman (Rock) and Matt Vinc (Titans)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
NLL Game Reveiws
Last night five NLL games took place. The Orlando Titans beat the Boston Blazers, 13-10, the Toronto Rock beat the Philadelphia Wings, 13-6, the Calgary Roughnecks beat the Rochester Knighthawks, 11-9, The Edmonton Rush beat the Minnesota Swarm, 14-13, and the Colorado Mammoth beat the Buffalo Bandits, 12-11. Two games went to overtime, with the Rush and Mammoth prevailing. Here are the notes from a fun night in the NLL.
Current Standings after this weekend:
East:
Orlando 8-4 (4 games remaining)
Toronto 8-6 (2) 1 game back
Boston 6-7 (3) 2.5
Buffalo 6-7 (3) 2.5
Rochester 5-7 (4) 3
Philadelphia 4-9 (3) 4.5
Toronto swept their weekend, which got them out of their six game funk. They beat Calgary and Philadelphia to move ahead of Boston and one game behind the Titans. Orlando won to extend their lead over Boston. Buffalo lost in OT to the lowly Mammoth, missing an opportunity to move up in the standings. With Rochester's loss, they themselves missed an opportunity with both Boston and Buffalo losing.
West:
Washington* 9-4 (3 games remaining)
Edmonton* 9-4 (3)
Calgary 7-6 (3) 2
Minnesota 5-7 (4) 3.5
Colorado (4) 5.5
Colorado won on a night that Minnesota lost, and now move two games behind them. Minnesota and Colorado both have four games remaining, that's a game in hand over Edmonton and Washington. The Swarm losing does not help them, as they would have had a chance to clinch. Calgary split their weekend, winning last night in Rochester. Edmonton tied Washington for first place in the West.
Notes: *Dan Dawson (5) scored half of the Blazers goals himself.
* The Rush tie the Stealth for first place.
* Alex Gajic continued his tear with four goals for the Mammoth.
* Colorado won for the first time in seven games.
* The Blazers scored only one goal in the fourth quarter.
* Philadelphia did not score in the first quarter.
* The Knighthawks have lost four staright home games.
* The next action in the NLL is Friday when the Knighthawks go to Minnesota, and the Mammoth take on the Rush.
Current Standings after this weekend:
East:
Orlando 8-4 (4 games remaining)
Toronto 8-6 (2) 1 game back
Boston 6-7 (3) 2.5
Buffalo 6-7 (3) 2.5
Rochester 5-7 (4) 3
Philadelphia 4-9 (3) 4.5
Toronto swept their weekend, which got them out of their six game funk. They beat Calgary and Philadelphia to move ahead of Boston and one game behind the Titans. Orlando won to extend their lead over Boston. Buffalo lost in OT to the lowly Mammoth, missing an opportunity to move up in the standings. With Rochester's loss, they themselves missed an opportunity with both Boston and Buffalo losing.
West:
Washington* 9-4 (3 games remaining)
Edmonton* 9-4 (3)
Calgary 7-6 (3) 2
Minnesota 5-7 (4) 3.5
Colorado (4) 5.5
Colorado won on a night that Minnesota lost, and now move two games behind them. Minnesota and Colorado both have four games remaining, that's a game in hand over Edmonton and Washington. The Swarm losing does not help them, as they would have had a chance to clinch. Calgary split their weekend, winning last night in Rochester. Edmonton tied Washington for first place in the West.
Notes: *Dan Dawson (5) scored half of the Blazers goals himself.
* The Rush tie the Stealth for first place.
* Alex Gajic continued his tear with four goals for the Mammoth.
* Colorado won for the first time in seven games.
* The Blazers scored only one goal in the fourth quarter.
* Philadelphia did not score in the first quarter.
* The Knighthawks have lost four staright home games.
* The next action in the NLL is Friday when the Knighthawks go to Minnesota, and the Mammoth take on the Rush.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
NLL Game Preveiw: Mammoth @ Bandits
photo credit: NLL.com 
The Bandits look to gain ground as they take on the lowly Colorado Mammoth at home. The Bandits have won five in a row, and look to make it sixth. The Blazers take on the tough Titans tonight, which gives the Bandits an opportunity to overtake them. Meanwhile Alex Gajic, fresh off his Rookie of the Month award, looks to lead Colorado past the surging Bandits.
Leading Scorers: Buffalo: Mark Steenhius, 66 pts
Colorado: Jamie Shewchuk, 43 pts
Goaltenders: Buffalo: Ken Montor, 10.89 GAA, .788 s%
Colorado: Andrew Layshon, 13.39 GAA, .716 S%
Injuries: Buffalo: None
Colorado: None
Notes: * With the Rock winning Friday, the Bandits need a win to tie for second
* The Mammoth can be mathematically eliminated with a Roughnecks and Swarm win.
* The Bandits will play their first home game in nearly a month at HSBC arena.
* John Tavares of Buffalo was named player of the month.
* The game is at 7:30 and can be seen at NLL.com Network.
The Bandits look to gain ground as they take on the lowly Colorado Mammoth at home. The Bandits have won five in a row, and look to make it sixth. The Blazers take on the tough Titans tonight, which gives the Bandits an opportunity to overtake them. Meanwhile Alex Gajic, fresh off his Rookie of the Month award, looks to lead Colorado past the surging Bandits.
Leading Scorers: Buffalo: Mark Steenhius, 66 pts
Colorado: Jamie Shewchuk, 43 pts
Goaltenders: Buffalo: Ken Montor, 10.89 GAA, .788 s%
Colorado: Andrew Layshon, 13.39 GAA, .716 S%
Injuries: Buffalo: None
Colorado: None
Notes: * With the Rock winning Friday, the Bandits need a win to tie for second
* The Mammoth can be mathematically eliminated with a Roughnecks and Swarm win.
* The Bandits will play their first home game in nearly a month at HSBC arena.
* John Tavares of Buffalo was named player of the month.
* The game is at 7:30 and can be seen at NLL.com Network.
Friday, April 2, 2010
NLL Monthly Awards
photo credit: NLL.com
John Tavares of the Buffalo Bandits(Not New York Islanders) was named NLL player of March on Friday. Tavares is the first offensive player to win the award this season. Alex Gajic of the Colorado Mammoth was named rookie of the month. Tavares played his first full month after suffering a leg injury, and helped the Bandits scoring eight goals along with ten assists to stack up eighteen points for a Bandits team trying to make the playoffs. The Bandits are 4-0 in the month of March, also since Tavares' return. In three games in March, Gajic scored eleven goals in three games along with four assists. Unfortunately, the Mammoth went 0-3 in that span. The awards are voted on by the GMs and Managers of each team.
John Tavares of the Buffalo Bandits(Not New York Islanders) was named NLL player of March on Friday. Tavares is the first offensive player to win the award this season. Alex Gajic of the Colorado Mammoth was named rookie of the month. Tavares played his first full month after suffering a leg injury, and helped the Bandits scoring eight goals along with ten assists to stack up eighteen points for a Bandits team trying to make the playoffs. The Bandits are 4-0 in the month of March, also since Tavares' return. In three games in March, Gajic scored eleven goals in three games along with four assists. Unfortunately, the Mammoth went 0-3 in that span. The awards are voted on by the GMs and Managers of each team.
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