The Minnesota Swarm and the Rochester Knighthawks are starting off the season tomorrow night in Rochester, New York at 7:30pm EST. Prior to the playoff rematch from last season, the Knighthawks will be raising their 2013 Championship banner. This should give the Swarm some added incentive to go along with the revenge factor for last year’s playoffs.
The Swarm look extremely young and new faced this year, with five rookies from this year’s draft a free agent signing in Mike Hobbins, and a new backup goalie in Zach Higgins. The team added Forwards Logan Schuss and Scott Jones, Defensemen Jason Noble and Jordan Houtby, and Transition player Cam Flint. When added to the young talent of Shayne Jackson and Kiel Matisz plus the veteran powers of Andrew Suitor and Callum Crawford the Swarm took a good team from last year and improved upon it.
The players to watch tonight include both rookie Swarm Forwards Logan Schuss and Scott Jones. Both are coming off good preseason camps and for most are the two front runners for Rookie of the Year honors. Another player to watch is Cody Jamieson, who my preseason pick for MVP this season. Jamison is coming off another great season where he lead the Knighthawks in goals, assists, points and shots on goal.
The biggest story for this game will easily be the return of Swarm Captain Andrew Suitor, who is returning to the Swarm after suffering an torn knee ligament last season. The surgery was season ending and Suitor has been rehabbing the knee up until training camp started. Suitor will be needed tonight to lead his young roster to a win.
