Swarm Sign Belisle

Defender returns to Minnesota after missing 2014, Swarm also ink Laconi

The Minnesota Swarm have announced that the team has re-signed defenseman Mitch Belisle to a one-year contract. Belisle, 28, spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Swarm, but did not play last season. The Swarm also signed free agent defender Pat Laconi to a one-year deal.

“Mitch’s energy on the floor and in the locker room was certainly missed last season,” Swarm Owner and Governor John Arlotta said. “Mitch played a key role in our recent playoff runs, and his leadership will once again be a valuable asset this year. We’re excited to welcome him back to the Swarm family.”

Belisle will enter his seventh season in the NLL in 2015, and third with the Swarm. In 2013, Belisle notched a career-high 11 points (1g, 10a) and added 60 loose balls along with 10 forced turnovers. In his career, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound righty defenseman has recorded 37 points (10g, 27a) and 440 loose balls in 91 career games. This past summer, the Cornell University graduate played on the U.S. Men’s National Team in the FIL World Championships.

Laconi, 22, finished his four-year career at Loyola in 2014. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound righty defenseman notched 14 points (11g, 3a), 31 ground balls and 34 caused turnovers as a co-captain this past spring.

“Pat had an impressive collegiate career at Loyola, which included winning the 2012 National Championship,” Arlotta said. “We’re looking forward to seeing his defensive skills at training camp.”

Both contracts are pending league approval.