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>Black Wolves Acquire Goalie Belanger In Trade With Mammoth

New England sends fourth-round pick in 2015 to Colorado for netminder

The New England Black Wolves and Colorado Mammoth have announced a trade with the Black Wolves acquiring goaltender Tye Belanger from the Mammoth in exchange for New England’s fourth-round pick in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft.

“He’s a promising young goalie who we’ve had our eye on for a while,” said Black Wolves head coach Blane Harrison. “An opportunity presented itself for him to come in and solidify our backup goalie position. At some point, he will challenge for number one.”

The Canadian Junior Goalie of the Year in 2011, Belanger was selected by Colorado with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 33 games for the Mammoth, collecting a 7-6 record with a .739 save percentage and a 12.39 goals against average. With Belanger penciled in to compete with Kevin Croswell for the backup job, Black Wolves goaltender Evan Kirk projects as the team’s starter headed into 2015.

Colorado enters the season with starter Dillon Ward, the Mammoth’s first-round draft pick (3rd overall) in 2013 and NLL All-Rookie Team member who also won gold as MVP with Team Canada in the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships, while Alexis Buque will serve as the team’s backup.

“Tye and Alex [Buque] were battling in camp for one roster spot,” said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett. “Alex brought a dynamic to our team that gave him the edge. I wish Tye all the best with the Black Wolves, and thank him for his contributions to our organization.”

The league’s 29th season will open with NLL Face Off Weekend 2015 presented by New Era starting with the Black Wolves hosting the Buffalo Bandits at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, Jan. 2.