by Nicole Palombo
DULUTH, Ga. (November 21, 2022) – The Georgia Swarm traded a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft to Panther City Lacrosse Club in exchange for high-profile veteran transition and face off specialist Jeremy Thompson, brother of Swarm forwards Lyle and Miles Thompson.
Three-of-the-four Thompson brothers now suit up in Navy and White, fighting to win an NLL Champions Cup together. The 2022 NLL Teammate of the Year joins two of his three younger brothers, Lyle and Miles Thompson in Georgia. The trio face their fourth brother, Hiana Thompson three times this season as he plays for division foe, Albany FireWolves.
All four Thompson brothers have now enjoyed stints with the Swarm, with Hiana Thompson joining brothers Lyle and Miles from 2016 through 2019, where they teamed up for the 2017 Swarm NLL World Championship.
“We are very excited to have Jeremy join the team,” said Owner and General Manager John Arlotta. “Over the years I have had the chance to know Jeremy very well on and off the field. I have admired his playing and leadership, and I am eager for him to bring it to Georgia.”
The righty transition player entered the NLL in 2012 after being drafted ninth overall in the 2011 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits. After spending one year with the Bandits, Thompson went on to play eight seasons with the Rush (2013-2020), winning two championships (2015; Edmonton, 2016; Saskatchewan).
Thompson spent the last season playing for Panther City Lacrosse Club in Fort Worth, Texas during its inaugural season. With PCLC, Thompson won 199-of-383 faceoffs, a 52-percent clip. He also ranked eighth on PCLC and 16th among NLL defenders in points, totaling 17 (4G, 13A) while recording 146 loose balls, 13 caused turnovers, and three blocked shots.
The Syracuse University graduate brings a specialty to Georgia, stepping up to the dot for faceoffs. Throughout his 10 years in the NLL, Thompson climbed the leaderboards, ranking fourth all-time in NLL faceoff wins (1,995) and loose balls (1,502). He holds the league record in playoff faceoff wins, totaling 250.
