In our first interview, we are extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with the All Star goaltender of the current National Lacrosse League Champion Colorado Mammoth; Gee Nash. Gee was kind enough to answer some questions for us, and to hopefully give you some insights from his perspective as a goalie.
GM: What got you into goaltending (and at what age)?
Gee: I was about 12 Yrs old and my coach was Jim Bishop. The teams current goaltender left the team and Mr Bishop found out I played Goal in hockey and asked me to play goal in lacrosse. The rest is history!
GM: Who would you say was the biggest influence on your goaltending and on playing lacrosse as a whole while growing up?
Gee: Two very important people that have influenced my goaltending growing up were Mr Bishop and my Dad.
GM: You had quite a successful minor and junior career in Whitby. Speak a little about Gavin Prout, and any other players you’ve played with over the years.
Gee: We had a very special group going up through minor lacrosse. In the beginning it was pure luck that we were entering Peewee when Mr Bishop decided to seriously get back into coaching lacrosse and wanted to move up in the system with the same group of kids. One of these kids was Gavin, whom I had played with since Tyke. Gavin has always been a great player. He is just a natural athlete that is great at everything. Over the years many of the guys we played with in Minor lacrosse have moved on to other things but there are still a good bunch that are playing in the NLL that may not have gone so far had we not had great coaching growing up. These guys are myself, Gavin, Pat Jones and Derek Suddons.
GM: In Colorado you are playing under possibly the best player to ever play the game of lacrosse (Gary Gait). How has he helped your game / team?
Gee: Gary is a very laid back type coach. He is also a very smart lacrosse coach. He brings a calm to our team in situations that are high pressure. When we see his demeanour in these situations we tend to relax and just play.
GM: So a couple of fun questions for you now, please answer each one with a team mate (so we don’t get you in trouble) as well as any other player in the league. You are starting a franchise; pick your 1st player to build your team around.
Gee: Gavin Prout, Brodie Merrill.
GM: Hardest shot
Gee: Dan Carey, John Grant.
GM: An opposing player is on a breakaway coming in on you. Who do you not want it to be?
Gee: Gavin Prout, JT (John Tavares)
GM: That same player is going one-on-one with one of your defenders. Who do you want defending?
Gee: Any Colorado D Guy, Derek Suddons
GM: Lastly, there are many young players that will read these comments. What would you say to them to help them in their quest to become a pro player or goalie?
Gee: It sounds cliché but practice really does make perfect. Always have a ball in your stick, work on the little things like passing and catching. Work hard and always put the team ahead of your personal goals.
GM: Gee, I thank you for your time, and look forward to doing this again
Gee: Thank you
Note: Gee’s Professional Lacrosse Stats can be found here
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