Georgia Swarm Secures Jerry Staats in Deal with Halifax Thunderbirds

DULUTH, Ga. (January 12, 2023) – The Georgia Swarm traded a second-round selection in the 2023 NLL Draft to the Halifax Thunderbirds in exchange for Jerry Staats.

“We are thrilled to add Jerry Staats to our team,” said Owner and General Manager John Arlotta. “We watched Jerry play in college at Syracuse, and he was on our radar during preparation for the 2022 NLL Entry Draft.  This move gives us more depth on the defensive side, especially when we start getting into a more regular cadence in our schedule without multiple bye weekends.”  

Staats was drafted in the second round, 29^th overall in the 2022 NLL Draft. The rookie played three seasons with Syracuse University and won a NJCAA National Championship at Onondaga Community College.

At Syracuse, the righty defender played in 26 games, assisting two goals, forcing one turnover, and picking up three loose balls in his final season (2022). Staats earned NJCAA First Team All-American honors at Onondaga Community College after starting all 15 games during the 2018 season, totaling 16 ground balls, 10 points, six goals, four assists, and four caused turnovers.

The Six Nations, Ontario native played in the 2018 FIL World Championship for the Iroquois Nationals as a starting defender. At the World Championship, Staats and the Iroquois won the bronze medal.