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Minnesota Swarm Training Camp Underway

November 30, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Minnesota Swarm News Release


TORONTO - The quest for a Champion's Cup is underway for the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm. Minnesota is participating in its first training camp session this weekend at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario, and will practice until Sunday, Dec. 1. The team is set to return to Oakville for two additional main camp sessions from Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15.

The Swarm only brought 26 players to camp this weekend, which is considerably less than compared to past seasons. The intent is to raise the level of intensity during the first weekend of camp to help the team reach their ultimate goal: a Champion's Cup.

"We have such a great crop of rookies and veterans now, and we need them to mesh quicker than in year's past," Swarm associate general manager and head coach Joe Sullivan said. "The intensity of this camp will be within themselves. There will only be a few players that we will have to let go at the end of this weekend. I expect them all to challenge and push each other."

Minnesota has reached the NLL Division Finals the past two seasons, and has collected a handful of individual accolades from the league in that time as well. Reaching that point has not satisfied this young squad or the coaching staff however.

"The players have all committed to me that a Champion's Cup is what they want to get to," Sullivan said. "In saying that, it's going to take a lot. The expectations of the veterans are to play like veterans; play smart and savvy, with poise. Our rookies have to bring it to the table early. This league does not allow us the luxury of letting players get their feet wet. We need each and every game."

With the passing of the new CBA this fall, teams are now permitted to carry a 20-man roster, and up to four practice players. Sullivan said the Swarm will trim their roster down to 24 players by the end of this weekend, leaving the final two session of camp to decide which players will be on the active roster or practice squad. All nine NLL teams will be required to submit their final 20-man rosters by Monday, Dec. 16.

Training Camp Exhibition Schedule Date Time Opponent Location Friday, Dec. 6 6 p.m. CT Colorado Oakville, Ontario Saturday, Dec. 7 7 p.m. CT Rochester Rochester, NY Saturday, Dec. 14 12:30 p.m. CT Calgary Oakville, ON.

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