- 11/28/05 - Berthiaume Signed but Not Ready to Play Yet
The Minnesota Swarm re-signed forward D'Arcy Berthiaume to an one-year contract today. Berthiaume
had 14 goals, 18 assists, scooped 88 loose balls and won 99 of 216 faceoffs in 13 games last year. Even with the signing, the Swarm
placed Berthiaume on the physically unable to perform list due to the injury he suffered while playing for the Victoria Shamrocks this past June. Like I reported on November 23rd, Berthiaume is not yet ready to play but with him being signed, the Swarm believe he will be ready for the season opener.
- 11/23/05 - Swarm Training Camp In Minnesota
The Swarm were hard at it over the weekend. Nearly all the players were here at times throughout the weekend. They were very appreciative of the fans who watched them the whole weekend.
- 11/23/05 - The Swarm Sign Summerfield and Four Rookies
The Swarm signed Shawn Summerfield to an one-year contract today. Summerfield was acquired by the Swarm late in the 2005 season and in his only game, he
played in the home finale against Philadelphia. The Swarm had to release him during the Anaheim Storm Dispersal Draft in July per draft rules.
The Swarm also signed four rookies to one-year contract, three of which were 2005 NLL Entry Draft picks:
- Nate Andres - Round 4 Overall 37
- Dean Hill - Round 5 Overall 48
- Anthony Kelly - from Cincinnati, OH. Played college lax at The Ohio State. Invited to Swarm Training Camp in 2004 but not signed
- Tyler Perry - Round 4 Overall 38
- 11/22/05 - Paul St. John Named Assistant
Paul St. John was signed to be an assistant to Head Coach Adam Mueller today. St. John is the owner, GM and Head Coach
of the Ajax-Pickering Rock of the OLA Sr B for the last three seasons. St. John won four Mann Cups as a player for the Brooklin Redmen and Six Nations Chiefs. St, John was the Swarm's Director of Scouting in 2005 and will be replaced in that position by Paul Stewart.
- 11/10/05 - Swarm Training Camp
The Swarm will have three weekends prior to the regular season in which training camp will be held which I have para.. parap... paraphr... put into my own words in the link above.
- 11/09/05 - Swarm Open House November 18th
The Swarm are having a meet and greet at the Xcel Energy Center on November 18th starting with a select a seat at 5pm for new season ticket holders and old holders who want to change.
- At 6pm there is a scrimmage until 6:45 pm. Hopefully it will last longer.
- At 7pm, autographs can be signed til 8.
- New merchandise and concessions available.
- One of our fans has made had a great tailgate banner which hopefully will make its first appearance.
- Hope there's a couple more of these before the Swarm disembowel the Wings on January 6th.
- 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – Season ticket holders and deposit holders are invited to revisit and/or select your 2006 Season Tickets
- 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. – On-Field Scrimmage
- 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. – Player Autographs
- 11/08/05 - Swarm Order of Merit
With a general idea of who will be playing at the X this year here is my ordering of the Swarm based on importance and
performance.
- 11/03/05 - Hall and Patterson are Inked for 2006
The Minnesota Swarm continued to sign players for the upcoming season (each for one year):
- Kelly Hall - The Swarm's leading scorer in 2005 and all-time, Hall had 27 goals and 21 assists last year
after being acquired from San Jose just after the season started.
- Nick Patterson - Nick is back in hopes of becoming the team's starter in net. An up and down first
season with the Swarm in 2005 eventually saw Patterson finish on a good note as he saved 45 of 57 shots in a home finale against Philadelphia. His stats in 2005: 1-0 15.47 GAA and .729 Save %.
- 11/03/05 - The Swarm trade with the Sting then the Wings
The Minnesota Swarm made two trades today with Brock Robertson involved in both. Robertson, a defenseman, was acquired from
the Arizona Sting for defenders Ray Guze, Andrew Martin and 2005 NLL Entry Draft pick Mike Leong. Both Guze (1a, 29 LB) and Martin (2g 6a 54 LB) both played for the Swarm last season but with
Noah Talbot and Darryl Gibson acquired from Arizona earlier this offseason, Guze and Martin days in
Minnesota were numbered.
Robertson did not stay in Minnesota for long, as later in the day he was traded to the Wings for a second round pick in the 2006
NLL Entry Draft.
At the end of the day - the Swarm got a second round pick next year for Guze, Martin and Leong.
- 11/02/05 - Beirnes and Henderson Are Signed
The Swarm sign up two players for one year each that each played just one game for the Arizona Sting in 2005
- Kasey Beirnes - Acquired in June from the Sting. Beirnes only played
one game in 2005 due to a knee injury. If he rehabs properly, Beirnes will contribute greatly to the offense. As of right
now, Beirnes is still on injured reserve.
- Tony Henderson - The Swarm got Henderson right before the free agent deadline in March.
He played three games and got three goals and two assists down the stretch.