On Tuesday, the Minnesota Swarm followed up on their draft coup from last year with six draft picks. The Swarm took 2014 Co-Tewaaraton trophy winner (shared with brother Lyle), Miles Thompson at number three for their top pick. At number five, Shane MacDonald was selected, followed by Joe Maracle at number ten to round out the forward selections. Their fourth pick (number 29) addressed needs at transition with the selection of Eric Guiltinan. The Swarm ended the draft on the defensive, selecting Patrick Miles at 38 and trading Jay Card to the New England Blackwolves to get Paxton Leroux.
The Swarm looked to address their struggles on offense with the addition of Thompson, MacDonald, Maracle and Guiltinan. Being set in net with Brodie MacDonald and Zach Higgins, the Swarm opted to add to their already solid defense with the acquisitions of Miles and Leroux.
The Swarm is set in net; they were defensively sound last season. What they need work on this season is offense. Thompson will obviously contribute up front as a rookie just as Schuss did. MacDonald has had a solid career in Jr.A, with Orangeville and Brampton, putting up 55 points through 17 games last season with his best season coming at 98 points in 2012. Joe Haodias Maracle comes from Six Nations of the Jr. A. In 2014 with the Oshweken Demons of the Canadian Lacrosse League, he had 10 points. As a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves, Eric Guiltinan had 12 points through three games played. Thompson and MacDonald will likely join Crawford, MacIntosh, Schuss, Jackson, and Matisz in the scoring ranks this season.
The Swarm have shed several members of their defensive corps, leaving only Greg Downing and Alex Crepinsek returning as regulars from last year. Jordan Houtby is the only other returnee who saw game time last season. The Swarm did add Mike Grimes, but look for either Miles or Leroux to make an impact.
