Minnesota Swarm
Team logo
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| Division | Eastern/Western |
|---|---|
| Played | 2004–2015 |
| Home arena | Xcel Energy Center |
| Based in | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Colors | Yellow, Blue, White |
| Head coach | Joe Sullivan |
| General manager | John Arlotta |
| Owner(s) | John and Andy Arlotta |
| Local media | KARE, KFAN (AM), KXXR |
| Division Championships | None |
| Later | Georgia Swarm |
The Minnesota Swarm was a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League who played at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota from 2004 until 2015. The team's previous owners (Minnesota Sports & Entertainment) who also own the NHL's Minnesota Wild purchased the rights to the inactive Montreal Express team on August 10, 2004. The name Swarm was selected over Thrill, Rush and Bullheads on October 25, 2004.
On July 16, 2008, John J. Arlotta and his son Andy Arlotta were officially announced as the team's new owners. On May 22, 2015, The Swarm announced that they would be relocating for the 2016 NLL Season. On May 29, they announced that they would play in Duluth, Georgia, for the 2016 season as the Georgia Swarm.
The Minnesota Swarm played their first exhibition game on December 10, 2004 against the Colorado Mammoth. The team drew over 14,000 fans — a record for an NLL preseason game, though most of the tickets were free. The Swarm's first regular season game was in Rochester against the Knighthawks on January 1, 2005, in which the Swarm won 12-11. Craig Conn scored the first goal in franchise history. Their first home regular season game was January 21, 2005 against the Buffalo Bandits. The coach of the team for the first season was Mike Simpson and the general manager was Marty O'Neill.
Forward Craig Conn and defenseman Ryan Cousins were named reserves for the East Division All-Star Team at the 2005 NLL All Star Game. Ryder Bateman ranked tied for second among NLL rookies in goals and third in scoring. The team finished the season with a 5-11 record. In August 2005, Adam Mueller was named as the head coach of the team.
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