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Minnesota Swarm to Acquire Goalie MacDonald; Swap First-Round Picks

June 30, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm today announced that the team is set to acquire goaltender Brodie MacDonald and the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft from the Edmonton Rush. In return, the Swarm will send the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft, goaltender Tyler Carlson and a future second-round pick in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft to Edmonton.

The trade will be formally submitted for league review at the opening of the league's new calendar year on July 1, the first day trades are permitted for 2015 season. The 2014 NLL Entry Draft will take place on Monday, Sept. 22 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC) in Oakville, Ontario. Minnesota now holds both the No. 3 (From Edmonton via Philadelphia) and No. 5 (From Buffalo) selections in the first-round.

"Since the end of last season, I have spent many hours analyzing what we needed to do to turnaround what was a very disappointing season for the entire Swarm organization and our fans," Swarm Owner and Governor John Arlotta said. "We just can't stand pat with that kind of performance. We gave up a lot by flipping the first pick with the third pick in this year's draft, but I feel that getting Brodie was worth the price. We can still get a great player with the third overall pick, and between that pick and the fifth pick in the draft we can certainly address the other needs we have for improving the team."

MacDonald, 24, is regarded as one of the game's rising young talents at the goalie position with his 6-foot-7 and 245-pound frame. As a backup to G Aaron Bold in Edmonton the past four seasons, MacDonald posted solid numbers in net, notching a 9.44 GAA and a .774 SV% in eight career appearances. The Vernon, British Columbia native appeared in 74 minutes in 2014, and recorded a .825 SV% and an 8.03 GAA.

"I have watched Brodie now for the last three years in the WLA, and have been impressed with his continuous improvement as well as his strong desire to win," Arlotta said. "We're really excited to have him in the Swarm organization, and we think he will be a great fit with what we're trying to accomplish for the 2015 season. I know Brodie is happy to have the chance to compete for the starting job here in Minnesota, and I want to thank Bruce Urban for giving him that opportunity."

In a road contest in Vancouver this past January, MacDonald was given the opportunity to showcase his potential when he came in relief of Bold and saw 44 minutes of action. MacDonald finished the night with 23 saves on 27 shots as the Rush came back to defeat the Stealth 9-8. In the summertime, MacDonald has played the past four seasons with the WLA's Langley Thunder, and appeared in back-to-back Mann Cups from 2011-12.

"Many thanks to Tyler for his service with the Swarm organization," Arlotta said. "Tyler was part of many thrilling wins including a playoff road victory in Toronto, and he was also an outstanding teammate who was always the first in line to teach young goalies in our YBL program. We thank him for all his hard work and wish him the best in Edmonton."

Carlson, 26, spent his first three years in the NLL with the Swarm from 2011-13, and posted an 11-15 record, 11.44 GAA, and a .749 SV%. The Brampton, Ontario native also saw action in three postseason contests in that span, which included a road win in Toronto during the 2013 NLL Division Semifinals. After impressing the Swarm's coaching staff in training camp back in 2011, Carlson earned a spot on the Swarm's roster and tallied a 5-2 record as rookie.

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