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Minnesota Swarm Re-Sign Matisz and Tao

December 2, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm today announced that the team has re-signed T Kiel Matisz to a two-year deal and F Corbyn Tao to a one-year contract. Both Matisz and Tao re-signed prior to the team's first training camp session last weekend.

Matisz, 24, ranked second among rookies in goals (29) and assists (33) and third in rookie scoring with 62 points, which tied for 20th in the NLL in 2013. Matisz led all rookies and finished tied for seventh in the league with 11 power play goals and ranked fifth in the NLL with a .230 shooting percentage in 16 games played. With his bruising size at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Matisz broke Swarm rookie records for most goals and power play goals in a single season and was named to the 2013 NLL All-Rookie Team.

Among NLL rookies, Minnesota's first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft ranked second with 70 loose balls and fifth with eight forced turnovers. The Stoney Creek, Ontario native, who played collegiately at Robert Morris University, won one Rookie of the Month award and a league-high four Rookie of the Week awards. "Kiel is a part of our long-term group with the Swarm on offense," Swarm associate general manager and head coach Joe Sullivan said. "Having him working with Callum, and some of the younger guys that have come in here on offense, I think you're going to find that our right-side is as solid as anybody's in the league." Tao, 25, recorded 23 points (6g, 17a) and collected 49 loose balls in his second season with the Swarm last year. In 2012, the Robert Morris University graduate finished his first campaign in the NLL with 39 points (18g, 21a), 63 loose balls and five forced turnovers in 16 games played. Minnesota drafted the Coquitlam, British Columbia native in the second round (No. 12 overall) of the 2011 NLL Entry Draft.

"Corbyn is a dynamic player, who has the ability to come out of the corner and out of a scrum with the ball in his stick," Sullivan said. "He makes great decisions in tight spaces and he's a good team player on and off the floor." Minnesota also agreed to a one-year deal with free agent F Michael Teeter, who attended Swarm training camp last season after being selected by the team in the sixth round of the 2012 NLL Entry Draft. All contracts are currently pending league approval. In 2014, the Swarm will be celebrating their 10th season of professional box lacrosse in the NLL and will kickoff the regular season on the road against the defending NLL champion Rochester Knighthawks at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Dec. 28.

Minnesota will make its home debut at The Hive celebrating Native American Heritage Night Sunday, Jan. 19 during a 2 p.m. matchup against the Philadelphia Wings at Xcel Energy Center.

Swarm fans looking to lock up 2014 Season Tickets can take advantage of a Buy 2, Get 2 at 25% offer. By purchasing two season tickets at full price, fans can add an additional two tickets for 25% off. Call 1-888-667-9276 or visit www.mnswarm.com for purchasing information.

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