NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Minnesota Swarm Announce Final 20-Man Roster for 2015 Season

December 20, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's Minnesota Swarm today announced the team's final 20-man roster in preparation for the 2015 NLL season.

Minnesota opens the regular season at home on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Ho-Chunk Nation Field at Xcel Energy Center for a 7 p.m. showdown against the Colorado Mammoth. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive Swarm headbands for Yellow Out The Hive Night, where all fans will be encouraged to wear yellow to celebrate the home opener. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-MN-SWARM or on mnswarm.com.

After finishing this preseason a perfect 3-0, Minnesota is looking to bounce back this season after a disappointing '14 campaign where the team missed the playoffs for the first time in five years. With a strong draft class, and talented new veterans on its roster, Minnesota is prepared to open a new chapter of Swarm Lacrosse in '15.

"Our roster this year features a new and exciting look," Swarm Owner and Governor John Arlotta said. "This team is athletic, fast, and most importantly, hungry to win. Our record last year was not acceptable, and we have our sights set on returning to the playoffs in 2015. Swarm fans are going to love watching this team compete at The Hive this season."

Head Coach Joe Sullivan will enter his fourth season as the Swarm's bench boss in 2015, and will be joined on the sidelines by veteran assistant coaches Aime Caines and Bobby Keast, as well as one new addition, Rory McDade, who was a former Swarm forward from 2006-09.

On the floor, Minnesota will be led by captain T Andrew Suitor, assistant captain F Callum Crawford and '14 NLL Award winner T Jordan MacIntosh (Transition Player of the Year).

In September's NLL Draft, the Swarm selected one of the most electrifying players in all of college lacrosse, forward Miles Thompson, with the third overall selection. Two picks later, the Swarm acquired gritty left-handed forward Shane MacDonald (No. 5 overall) from Brampton. The two rookies were impressive this preseason scoring the ball and dishing out assists, and will play key roles this season.

In net, Minnesota features offseason acquisition G Brodie MacDonald, who stands tall at 6-foot-7, as well as G Zach Higgins, who enters his third season with the team. The Swarm will look to utilize their speed and athleticism on defense more than ever this year, and welcome back D Mitch Belisle to the roster, and plan to use D Kiel Matisz and his 6-foot-5 frame on the defensive end more frequently.

Other new faces to the Swarm's roster include F Dean Hill (Swarm forward from 2006-09), rookie T Sam Bradman, T Nick Cotter and T Ethan O'Connor, who excelled with the Toronto Rock last year in his rookie season.

2015 Minnesota Swarm Roster (*Denotes first-year players)

Forwards (6): No. 98 Callum Crawford 'A', No. 73 Dean Hill, No. 32 Shayne Jackson, No. 66 Shane MacDonald*, No. 84 Corbyn Tao and No. 2 Miles Thompson*

Transition (7): No. 11 Sam Bradman*, No. 44 Nick Cotter, No. 33 David Earl, No. 24 Jordan MacIntosh, No. 45 Jason Noble, No. 37 Ethan O'Connor and No. 20 Andrew Suitor 'C'

Defensemen (5): No. 85 Mitch Belisle, No. 10 Alex Crepinsek, No. 8 Greg Downing, No. 15 Jordan Houtby and No. 46 Kiel Matisz

Goaltenders (2): No. 31 Zach Higgins and No. 50 Brodie MacDonald

Practice Squad (4): No. 97 Ian Crawford* (D)*, No. 17 Marcus Holman* (F), No. 88 Joe Maracle* and No. 67 Pat Miles* (D)

Swarm fans looking to lock up 2015 Season Tickets at Ho-Chunk Nation Field at Xcel Energy Center can take advantage of a Buy 2, Get 2 at 25% off deal. By purchasing two lower level season tickets at full price, fans can add an additional two tickets at 25% off. Call 1-888-MN-SWARM or visit www.mnswarm.com for purchasing information.

• Discuss this story on the National Lacrosse League message board...

National Lacrosse League Stories from December 20, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central