After sitting out the 2014 season because of the World Championships, Mitch Belisle will be joining the Swarm once again for 2015. It will be the third season with the Swarm for the Cornell defenseman. Will he make a difference?
I don’t see how he can’t.
In 2012 and 2013, Belisle was part of two very successful Swarm teams. He’s had playoff experience dating back to his rookie year in 2008 and missed last season for injury precautions as part of Team USA. Belisle is a reliable defender, and with the dispersal of much of the Swarm’s defensive unit this season, they’ll need the veteran in there.
Belisle was part of successful Swarm teams during his first two seasons with the Swarm. He missed the not-so-successful campaign of 2014. Only six players remain from Belisle’s first season with the Swarm, but he works well with the six that remain, as well as the four that remain from the following season. It’s reasonable to think that he will work well with the players from last year and this year.
Belisle is a solid defender; even though the Swarm didn’t struggle defensively last year, they’ve shed several of their defensive corps. Having a player like Belisle, who is both defensively sound and familiar with much of the team, should help provide the boost they need.
