DULUTH, Ga. (November 9, 2022) – Jordan Hall and Joel White, two iconic players and leaders on the Georgia Swarm roster since 2017 and 2016, respectively, announced their retirement from the Georgia Swarm and the National Lacrosse League. The tandem played four years together in Georgia hoisting one NLL Champions Cup together.
“As most people who follow the Swarm know, we build our team through the draft,” said Owner and General Manager John Arlotta. “We do add a few veteran players through free agency or trades who fit our culture and will help us win. Without a doubt, the trades we made for both Joel and Jordan provided the performance and character we needed to get us over the top and win the 2017 NLL Champion’s Cup. We would not have won that championship without their talent and leadership.”
White played with the Swarm as a defenseman for six seasons (2015 through 2021-22), while Hall served as a forward for the Swarm for four seasons (2017, 2018, 2019-20, and 2021-22).
“Both Joel and Jordan will be missed by all of us both personally and professionally” Arlotta continued. “However, I am hopeful that both will stay involved with the Swarm franchise in some way in the future. Jordan has agreed to be an offensive analyst for the team this year, while Joel and I have been discussing his interest in sharing his lacrosse experience with youth in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. Their impact on the Georgia Swarm culture and achievements will be long lasting and not forgotten.”
Jordan Hall Announces Retirement from the Georgia Swarm; Moves to Offensive Analyst Position
After a 14-year career in the National Lacrosse League, Jordan Hall announced his retirement. The first overall draft pick in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft called it a career with 813 points, 549 assists, 264 goals, and 1,066 loose balls.
“Playing professional lacrosse has been an amazing journey,” Hall said. “So much of my life after college has been shaped by the teammates, coaches, owners, team staff, and fans who have given me an opportunity to play a sport I love. Thank you to all of them, as well as my friends and family for the support, making that journey possible. To those still playing: enjoy each game, as the journey was long, but looking back felt far too short.”
Although Hall steps away from playing with the Swarm, he suits up with the team in a different way this year, taking on the role of offensive analyst.
“I look forward to assisting the Swarm again this year,” said Hall. “It’s a role where I can continue to help the team, stay connected to the players in retirement, and limp far less after games. Go Swarm!”
The Surrey, B.C. native played for six different teams throughout his career having two separate stints in Georgia, Rochester, and Philadelphia. Hall suited up for the New York Titans (‘08- ‘09), Orlando Titans (‘10), Rochester Knighthawks (‘11- ‘12, ’15- ‘16), Philadelphia Wings (‘13-’14, ‘19), New England BlackWolves (’16), and Georgia Swarm (2017, 2018, 2019-21, and 2021-22). Hall played six of those seasons under Head Coach Ed Comeau.
Comeau coached Hall from nearly the beginning of his career. The two started their journey together in 2009 when Comeau joined the NY Titans and again in 2010 with Orlando. Hall subsequently spent seven seasons with other teams before reuniting with Comeau in Georgia, where the duo helped the Swarm win the 2017 NLL Champions Cup. “I feel honored that I had the chance to coach him over several years,” said Comeau. “I am excited he is staying a part of our organization, and I look forward to working with him this season.”
“Jordan has had a long career in this league and was productive from his first game to his last,” Comeau continued. “What is an even better accomplishment is that he was so well liked by all his teammates and coaches. He was skilled, played hard, and made plays that didn’t always end up on the scoresheet but were recognized by his teammates and coaches, demonstrating his commitment to win.”
Hall celebrated the penultimate achievement in 2017 when the Georgia Swarm rose the NLL Champions Cup. During the Swarm’s historic Championship run, Hall totaled 18 points (12G, 6A) across four playoff games.
Hall eclipsed the 800-career point mark this past season on March 12 against the Halifax Thunderbirds after assisting two goals on the night. The University of Delaware graduate recorded 51 points (16G, 35A) during the 2021-22 season, marking the ninth time he achieved more than 50 points in a single season.
Hall’s career high in points was in 2009, when he recorded 25 goals and 56 assists for 81 tallies. Hall almost matched that feat during the 2017 championship season, recording 80 points on the year (20G, 60A).
As a 2008 All-Rookie Team selection, Hall totaled 69 points (24G, 45A). The 2x NLL Sportsmanship Award winner first claimed the title in 2011 with the Rochester Knighthawks and then again in 2017 with the Swarm.
Joel White Announces Retirement from Georgia Swarm
Georgia Swarm veteran defender Joel White announced his retirement after nine seasons in the NLL. The Swarm’s leader in caused turnovers in a single season (32 in 2016) retires with 146 caused turnovers, 912 loose balls, 80 points (23G, 57A), and only 109 penalty minutes.
“It has been such an honor to have played played in the NLL and specifically for the Swarm,” said White. “I can’t thank the Arlottas enough for everything they have done for me, my family, and the Swarm organization. It was truly a pleasure to be in that locker room with such a great group of men. I will miss that group, but I’m excited for the next chapter and spending more time with my family. I would like to give a special thank you to my wife Kelsey for always being so supportive throughout my career.”
The Cortland, N.Y. native, was drafted in the second round, 10th overall, in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks. White spent one season with Rochester before moving to the Philadelphia Wings for two seasons (2013 and 2014). After his stint with the Wings, Swarm GM John Arlotta inked White to a Minnesota Swarm contract in 2015.
“Joel White has been an impactful player in our league for a number of years,” said Head Coach Ed Comeau. “It has been great to watch Joel continue to grow as a player in our league. He was one of those players that from the time he came into the league you said: ‘I would love to have that guy on my team.'”
In 2017, White aided the Swarm in claiming it’s first-ever NLL Champions Cup over the Saskatchewan Rush. During the championship-clinching game in Saskatchewan, White picked up seven loose balls, caused one turnover and scored one crucial goal.
With just 10 seconds remaining in regulation in game two with Georgia up 1-0 in the best of three series, the Swarm trailed the Rush 14-13. Georgia forced a turnover, which resulted in Lyle Thompson advancing toward the net, taking a shot, which deflected off his older brother Jeremy Thompson. White reflexively grabbed Thompson’s rebound and found the back of the net to push the game into overtime where the Swarm clinched the championship winning goal and brought the state of Georgia its first pro sports championship in 23 years.
“Bringing Joel in was a big part of our championship season,” Comeau continued. “He continued to be an immense contributor to our team especially last season with so many rookies. Joel always had a knack to pick up a key loose ball in traffic, intercept or knock down a pass, and block a shot all at critical times in the game.”
White played one year in Minnesota (2015) and five with the Georgia Swarm (2017-2022) landing a spot on multiple Swarm leaderboards. White ranks fifth all-time in loose balls (546) and caused turnovers (92), while ranking first in playoff career caused turnovers (14), and second in post season loose balls (47).
The Syracuse Orange graduate retires while leading the franchise in caused turnovers in a single season with 32. During the 2015-16 season, White forced 32 turnovers, while scooping a season-best 143 loose balls and totaling 16 points (6G, 10A).
