As of 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 1, NLL free agency has officially started. The Swarm’s 2020 Free Agency Tracker will keep you up-to-date on all of the player moves the Swarm make between Aug. 1 and the beginning of the 2020-21 NLL season.
Every free agent signing the Swarm make this offseason will be below – with the most recent signings first – and will have links to any stories we’ve written about the individual signing.
To see every Swarm roster move, visit our Transactions page.
For players lost in Free Agency, there will be a section at the bottom saying which new team the former Swarm players signed with.
2020 Free Agency
Position: Goaltender
Contract: One year
2019-20 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: The elder of the two Orleman brothers, Kevin was drafted by the Buffalo Bandits in the second round (No. 18 overall) of the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. He signed a two-year deal with the Swarm ahead of the 2017-18 season. The 2019-20 pandemic-shortened season saw Orleman play in 47:44 min., posting a 13.83 GAA and .711 SV%.
The why of the sign: With Mike Poulin entering the second year of his three-year contract and Lukas Coote signing as goaltending depth, the Swarm returning Orleman gives them three players who can serve as the last line of defense. The 2019-20 season’s untimely end didn’t allow for Orleman to build upon his first year of playing as much as everyone would have liked, but he is still viewed as a future starting NLL netminder. 2020-21 will be the chance for Orleman to show how soon that future is.
Lukas Coote
Position: Goaltender
Contract: Two years
2019-20 Team: N/A
The why of the sign: With the departure of Steven Orleman in 2020 Free Agency, the Swarm were looking to add depth to the goaltending position. While Coote, 29, has never cracked an NLL roster, he does have plenty of netminding experience. He’s spent the past four years in the Arena Lacrosse Leaguewon championships in the OLA (Ontario Lacrosse Association), CLL (Canadian Lacrosse League), and ALL (Arena Lacrosse League). In his four seasons in the ALL (the past three with the Whitby Steelhawks), Coote has a 13-11 win-loss record and 13.60 GAA through 1583:32 min. In the shortened 2020 ALL season, Coote had a 9.96 GAA through 277:00 min. played.
Position: Transition
Contract: Two years
2019-20 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: In two seasons with the Swarm, Bomberry has 25 points (8G, 17A), 105 loose balls, and 13 caused turnovers in 29 regular season contests for the Swarm. In one postseason game, Bomberry has a goal to go with two loose balls.
The why of the sign: Bomberry is one of the more exciting two-way players on the Swarm. After finishing his sophomore season in more of a defensive role, the Syracuse University product figures to play more offense in the 2020-21 season with the departure of Zed Williams in an offseason trade. With his ability to play great defense and do some damage on the right side, Bomberry gives the Swarm options for both sides of the floor, similar to Bryan Cole’s role in the 2019-20 season.
TJ Comizio #91
Position: Defenseman
Contract: Two years
2019-20 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: Comizio spent the 2019-20 season on the Swarm’s Practice Roster. He was selected in the third round (No. 44 overall) of the 2019 NLL Entry Draft. A graduate of Villanova University, the right-hander finished his collegiate career with 25 points (2G, 23A), 172 ground balls, and 61 caused turnovers in 60 games. Comizio is listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds.
The why of the sign: Comizio spent the 2019-20 season learning the box game, and the upcoming 2020-21 season will be his opportunity to show what he’s learned. With a high lax IQ, great stick skills, and lightning feet, Comizio has a bulldog physicality to his game and fits great into the Swarm’s defensive depth.
Swarm Players Lost in Free Agency
- Defenseman Alex Crepinsek – Philadelphia Wings, 2-year contract
- Goaltender Steven Orleman – New York Riptide, 2-year contract
2019 Free Agency
Jordan Hall #20
Position: Forward
Contract: One year
2018-19 Team: Philadelphia Wings
NLL Career: A 12-year NLL veteran, Hall has been one of the more consistent left-handed forwards in NLL history. Over 181 regular season games, Hall has 715 points (238G, 477A), 938 loose balls, and 46 caused turnovers. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Hall was selected No. 1 overall by the defunct New York Titans in 2007.
The why of the sign: Before the 2019 NLL Entry Draft, the Swarm had just Shayne Jackson and LeRoy Halftown as their only left-handed forwards. After trading for Zach Miller from the San Diego Seals, the Swarm still needed a tried and true lefty weapon. Hall fits the bill, having been one of the most consistent forwards during his NLL career. A dynamic feeder who puts in the off-ball work for his teammates, he helped the Swarm win their 2017 world championship and is huge for the Swarm’s locker room culture.
Position: Forward
Contract: One year
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: Williams has spent two seasons with the Swarm, his first season as a transition player and his second as a forward. In 27 games, he has 53 points (27G, 26A), 110 loose balls, and 11 caused turnovers. The University of Virginia product was selected by the Swarm in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.
The why of the sign: Williams was a key component of the Swarm’s right side in 2018-19, and sliding him out the front door paid dividends not only for his numbers, but for Lyle Thompson and Randy Staats’ numbers, as well. Williams playing out the front door netted the Swarm an additional 77 points from right-handed forwards. His signing solidifies the complete return of the Swarm’s right side for the 2019-20 season. With a full season in the Swarm’s offensive system under his belt, Williams can build upon his solid foundation and become even more of a weapon.
Sergio Perkovic
Position: Defenseman/Transition
Contract: One year
Lacrosse Career: A 2017 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Perkovic served as the team captain and was a Tewaaraton finalist in his senior season. He was also a three-time First Team USILA All-American. He holds the record for most goals recorded by a midfielder in program history, and he has 136 points (111G, 25A) and 63 ground balls in 62 games. Perkovic is playing with the Premier Lacrosse League Redwoods Lacrosse Club and has 10 points (9G, 1A).
The why of the sign: Despite having no box experience, Perkovic is the latest American field lacrosse star trying their hand at the NLL. He checks a lot of boxes for the Swarm: a high character individual who’s big, athletic, and has a high lacrosse IQ. If he can take his physical field game indoors and adjust to the speed quickly, then this depth signing could pay dividends and frustrate opponents.
Position: Forward
Contract: Two years
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: Having spent all five years of his NLL career with the Swarm, the third of the four Thompson brothers was drafted by the Georgia Swarm in the first round (No. 3 overall) of the 2014 NLL Entry Draft. Miles scored the game-winning goal of Game 2 of the 2017 NLL Finals, securing the Swarm their first-ever NLL Cup. Over 86 regular season games, the University at Albany product has 241 points (122G, 119A), 282 loose balls, 14 caused turnovers, and a 15.72 S%.
The why of the sign: Miles has yet to reclaim his 2017 form, as injuries have affected his performance over the last two seasons. 2018-19 did mark the first time he’s played in every Swarm game since his rookie season, a step in the right direction. The University at Albany alum’s return adds to the Swarm’s rightside depth. Between his chemistry with younger brother Lyle and Randy Staats and coming into the season healthy, Miles will be looking to bounce back from the past two seasons and prove an effective offensive piece for the Swarm.
Position: Transition
Contract: One year
2017-18 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: A seven-year veteran, White was originally drafted by the Rochester Knighthawks in the second round (No. 10 overall) of the 2011 NLL Entry Draft. He came to the Swarm in a trade with the New England Black Wolves for Andrew Suitor before the 2016 season and spent the 2018-19 season on the Holdout List. Over 89 games, White has 65 points (22G, 43A), 703 loose balls, and 116 caused turnovers.
The why of the sign: Swarm Owner and General Manager John Arlotta put it best: Joel’s a difference maker with a championship pedigree who improves the Swarm’s already strong defensive core. The two-time Tewaaraton finalist has an uncanny knack for big plays and is a wizard with the ball in his stick, and his return helps solidify the back end following the loss of John Ranagan in the 2019 Expansion Draft.
LeRoy Halftown #38
Position: Forward
Contract: One year
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: Halftown was drafted by the Swarm in the second round (No. 20 overall) of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft and spent the 2018-19 season on the Swarm Practice Squad.
The why of the sign: With the departure of Holden Cattoni in the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft and with Jerome Thompson currently an unrestricted free agent, the Swarm’s offensive firepower on the left side consisted of just Shayne Jackson. LeRoy, a prolific scorer during his time at the New York Institute of Technology and with the Onondaga Redhawks in the Can-Am Lacrosse League, adds to the Swarm’s left-handed weaponry.
Steven Orleman #34
Position: Goaltender
Contract: Two years
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: Orleman was drafted by the Swarm in the second round (No. 19 overall) of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft and spent the 2018-19 season on the Swarm Practice Squad.
The why of the sign: Even with the Swarm re-signing Mike Poulin and Steven’s older brother Kevin, the Swarm still needed goalie depth in case something happens to either netminder during the regular season. Steven spent the 2018-19 season as a member of the Swarm Practice Squad, developing his skills under Poulin and Kevin’s tutelage.
Position: Goaltender
Contract: Three years
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: A 14-year NLL veteran, Poulin was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bandits in the second round (No. 21 overall) of the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year deal with the Swarm ahead of the 2017 season, helping the Swarm win their first NLL Cup in franchise history. Poulin has a career 11.45 GAA and .770 SV% over 8208:50 min.
The why of the sign: Poulin showed no signs of age in his 14th season in the NLL. He finished with a 10.94 GAA and .791 SV% over 899:32 min. In three seasons with the Swarm, Poulin has a 34-13 record (.723 W%), an 11.48 GAA, and a .771 SV%. With expansion being the name of the game in the NLL of recent, having a steadying leader like Poulin between the pipes is huge for the team in staying consistent, as is his continued mentorship of the Orleman brothers.
Position: Goaltender
Contract: One year
2018-19 Team: Georgia Swarm
NLL Career: The elder of the two Orleman brothers, Kevin was drafted by the Buffalo Bandits in the second round (No. 18 overall) of the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. He signed a two-year deal with the Swarm ahead of the 2017-18 season. In the 2018-19 season, Orleman got his first taste of action as an NLL goaltender, finishing the season with a 1-1 record, 162:32 min. played, a 14.40 GAA, and a .725 SV%.
The why of the sign: Locking up goaltending was a priority for the Swarm, as none of the netminders had a contract past the 2018-19 season. Kevin was solid in his NLL debut against the Rochester Knighthawks and showcased his abilities in fine fashion against the Calgary Roughnecks, but he has yet to develop into a stalwart netminder. The Swarm will be looking for the Kitchener, Ontario native to build upon the foundation he laid in the 2018-19 season and take that next step forward in his career.
Swarm Players Lost in Free Agency – 2019
- Forward Jerome Thompson – Buffalo Bandits, 1-year contract
- Goaltender Craig Wende – Rochester Knighthawks, 2-year contract
