Historic Day of Signings by the Minnesota Swarm

November 27, 2013

The Minnesota Swarm made team history with today's signings. Eleven players, all of whom, were with the team last year, were re-signed today on a American Thanksgiving Eve blitz leading up to the opening of training camp in Oakville, Ontario on Friday, November 29th.

The biggest signing of the day is the most historic in team history and it is natural that it involves Minnesota Swarm team captain Andrew Suitor. Suitor and the Swarm agreed to a team record five-year contract that keeps the Orangeville, Ontario native in Blue and Gold through the 2018 season. Suitor was the Swarm's first round pick in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft and will be entering his fourth season of NLL and Minnesota Swarm action. The team captain since 2012, Suitor enters the 2014 season having worked the off-season facing his toughest challenge in his lacrosse career. That challenge is working as hard as one can to regain and exceed where he was physically and possibly mentally before he suffered his knee injury on February 22, 2013 in Edmonton. All indications is that Suitor has made rehab his bitch and will enter camp in what one presumes is the best shape he has ever been and with a confidence that is much greater for what he learned of himself through the last few months. By entering into a five year contract with Suitor, the Swarm believe that not only is Suitor ready to go for camp but that he has convinced the team that his leadership and the example he shows towards his teammates is worthy of the trust they have placed in him for the long term success of the franchise.

When Suitor went down to injury last year, the Swarm tabbed Callum Crawford to take over the captaincy of the team in his absence. Today, the Swarm re-signed the all-time team leader in points and assists with a two-year contract. For the middle part of last season, the team struggled without Suitor but as Crawford grew into his newly elevated leadership role, the Swarm themselves began to play well behind them which led to a fairly positive playoff experience. Crawford's own game also became better as he had numerous games late in the season where he was practially unstoppable. Entering 2014, Crawford is the go-to guy on offense as he leads a young stable of snipers and muckers as they weave their way towards Champions Cup glory.

With Suitor and Crawford signed, the final part of the "Triangle of Leadership" was signed when Jeff Gilbert agreed to an one-year contract. Gilbert has been the leader on defense since he joined the Swarm for the 2012 season. At 30 years young, Gilbert is the oldest player on the team and has the bearing of one who is wise beyond his years. With the signing of an one-year contract, that does make Gilbert an unrestricted free agent after this year as the new CBA sets the age minimum for UFA's for 2015 at the age of 31. That means that 2014 could be Jeff's last season in Minnesota. We sure hope that is not the case, but just make that you take a long drink of Jeff Gilbert this season, appreciate what he does and let the team know they must do all they can to convince Jeff to stay ' in Minnnesota for the long-term.

Just those three signings above would be breathtaking all by themselves but the Swarm did not forget a multitude of players they expect to make a significant impact not only this year but in years to come.

That is the perfect transition to the 2013 NLL Transition Player of the Year, Jordan MacIntosh. Jordan re-signed for two years today and the Oakville, Ontario native is expected to raise his level of multi-dimensional play that he has shown in his first two years with the team. With rosters at 20, MacIntosh may not score as many goals as last year but I think we will see him play a bit more out of both doors this year than last and be even more valuable. His faceoff prowess alone should only shine brighter this year.

Jordan's hometown friend, Alex Crepinsek enters his sophomore season with a new two-year contract. Crepinsek showed last year that he is already a solid stay at home defender with a knack of making timely and wise plays. As a seasoned veteran on defense, Crepinsek will also be counted on to lead a bit more this season.

The Swarm's most NLL-experience lefty scorer is Shayne Jackson and he has also re-signed for two years. Jackson exceeded my expectations and made the NLL All-Rookie team as he set Swarm single-season rookie records with 39 assists and 63 points. I do wonder if Jackson can repeat his performance from last year. There will be no surprises for teams facing him this year and I am looking to see how he adapts to the extra scrutiny. It may be tough early but I figure if he stays the course, he will come on strong late.

This year, Swarm fans should be in for a treat, as they will get to see a full season of Josh Gillam. Signed for two years today, Josh will not be missing the first half of the season due to playing hockey in Germany as he has in his first two years. He will get to gel with the team in training camp for the first time in his career, which should help him get off to a fast start right away on December 28th. It always seem to take two or three games for him to get going after coming back to North America but this year that all changes for the always physically fit Gillam.

The Swarm scooped up David Earl for two years. His 102 loose balls were second on the team last year and he didn't take one faceoff. He is a huge threat to score on transition and does well on the draw team. He will probably have an increased role defensively with a smaller game day roster. His speed and lacrosse IQ should help in that increased defensive role.

The Swarm re-signed Greg Downing for one more year. Downing made a successful return in 2013 after missing the last half of 2012 to injury. He is one of only four Swarm players to actually play for another NLL and with this being his sixth NLL season, his steady demeanor and wealth of experience will help groom the younger defenders.

Tyler Hass returns for his fourth year of Swarm lacrosse as he has re-signed for one year. The Victoria, BC native showed an marked increase in intensity last year. It's not like he was fighting everybody, but you could see he was the one player, especially after Suitor got hurt, that would get in an opponent's face and let him know to tread extremely carefully. Like Earl, Hass is just as deadly running down the floor on the break like we saw last year in overtime at The Hive against Toronto.

Last year's top pick for the Swarm, Brock Sorensen is back for his second season. Last year, like Suitor is this year, Brock came into camp recovering from a knee injury. He started 2013 season slowly but as his confidence in his knee grew during the season, his play got better and better. This year, Brock is ready to go from the start of camp and like Gillam, we should see Brock breakout into a season expected of a player taken second overall in the draft.