Charmed

Colorado Mammoth forward John Grant Jr. has plenty of accolades: League MVP in 2012, more than 1,000 career points, and arguably the best stick-handling skills in the sport. Who’s to thank? Maybe his good-luck charm: a 10-inch tall gnome named GnoMercy. “We had a couple of seasons with a lot of losses,” Grant Jr. says. But once GnoMercy came aboard, “We went to an 8-0 start.” After the novelty statue was made for the team store last season, Grant Jr. began toting him to Mammoth events, from his locker to team lunches to the bench, where players high-five the gnome as they walk onto the field. After one rough ride back from a game, GnoMercy got a little beat up. “We went on a three-game losing streak,” Grant Jr. says. “I’ve got to take better care of my little guy.” Here’s hoping the sprite can bring the Champion’s Cup back to Denver.
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In Action: Look for GnoMercy Feb. 2 vs. the Minnesota Swarm, and Feb. 16 vs. the Edmonton Rush, both 7 p.m. at the Pepsi Center.