Minnesota Swarm are an indoor lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota

The team 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. The coach of the team for the first season was Mike Simpson and the general manager is Marty O'Neill.

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 the NLL in preseason, most of the tickets were free. The team was very successful in its opening season, due perhaps in part to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

The Swarm first regular season game was at the Rochester 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.

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.

The Swarm made the NLL playoffs after the 2006 season with a 8-8 record.

Season-By-Season

External links

• Minnesota Swarm website

National Lacrosse League teams | Sports in Minneapolis-St. Paul | 2004 establishments