John Gallant has pulled off the improbable twice in a 10- month span.

The Mammoth defenseman played in the Champion's Cup 29 days after rupturing his spleen in May, then recently pulled off another shocker.

Gallant was selected to the National Lacrosse League's West Division All-Star team - that is rare for a defenseman without significant offensive stats - and will be one of five Mammoth players in the game tonight in Portland, Ore. (8 MST, Rose Garden; tape delay on Versus at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.)

"I'm just happy to represent our defense," said Gallant, playing in the first All-Star Game of his six-year career. "I think that our defense doesn't get a lot of credit. . . . The Mammoth has always been looked upon as a scoring team."

No argument there, as the 9-1 Mammoth widely has been recognized for its marquee forwards since moving to Denver to start the 2003 season.

The team first was led by Gary Gait, now the Mammoth's coach, who will guide the West tonight. Its current leaders are high-scoring Gavin Prout, who will captain the West Division all-stars, and second-year forward Dan Carey, who will start tonight.

Transition player Josh Sims and goaltender Gee Nash also were selected.

Mammoth defensemen have been selected before, but never an unheralded player like Gallant. Pat Coyle, who earned his reputation while helping Toronto to four championships, has represented the Mammoth twice, and Jay Jalbert, who makes numerous contributions on the offensive end, has been an All-Star three times.

Coyle has been hampered by a calf injury and Jalbert is taking the season off to recover from a concussion.

Gallant was surprised when he saw his name on the All-Star roster.

"Absolutely," said Gallant, who has recorded one goal and seven assists this season. "It's my first time, and I'm a defensive defenseman, not a transition player, so whenever a player like that gets to go to an All- Star Game it's very exciting."

Also making his first appearance is Sims, who has taken over Jalbert's role and already has produced a career-best 16 goals to go with 13 assists.

Sims said it's nice to get some recognition around the league, "but it definitely helps that our team is playing so well. It just makes me look better."