Minnesota Swarm is 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. Team colors are blue, gold and silver. The coach of the team is 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 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. The team finished the season with a 5-11 record.
Minnesota Swarm website
