The Georgia Swarm have lost a lot this off season, but they haven’t gained very much. They’ve already seen Callum Crawford and Greg Downing leave them for the Colorado Mammoth. They have retained a few of their players, resigning Mitch Belisle, Alex Crepinsek, and Jordan Houtby.
The only addition thus far for the relocated Gwinnett team is defenseman Ryan Flanagan. Flanagan, who lacks NLL experience, has been a major player with the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse.
Right off the bat, this signing looks like one of those dictated by location. The Mammoth are always signing and acquiring players familiar with the Denver area, and New England (along with previously Philadelphia) have focused on Atlantic coast based Americans.
The Swarm should be one of those teams, and their region will be the south. Flanagan, who played college ball at North Carolina, has played five MLL seasons, including with the Hounds for the past four years.
Flanagan does have indoor lacrosse experience with the Charlotte Copperheads of the demised Professional Lacrosse League.
The signing adds depth to a Georgia roster that did lose Downing on the back end. And, even though he is new to the NLL, he is a veteran in professional lacrosse on what is a very young Swarm roster. Especially with the fact that Kiel Matisz could move back to forward with Callum Crawford gone, the Swarm could use all the defenders they could get in what will be their first season in Georgia.
