Crepinsek checked by Saskatchewan's Cornwall in Game 1 of the Champion's Cup | Photo Credit: Kyle Hess
#10, Alex Crepinsek | Photo Credit: Kyle Hess
(Duluth, GA) – The defending champion Georgia Swarm today announced that the team has re-signed restricted free agent Alex Crepinsek to a one-year contract. The 2018 season will be the defenseman’s sixth year in the NLL and with the Swarm.
"Alex is a veteran defender who has played a lot of lacrosse for the Swarm since we drafted him in 2012,” Swarm Owner and General Manager John Arlotta said. “He is well liked in the locker room and was an integral piece to our championship run. We are excited to have him back for another year."
“Alex Crepinsek was a big part of our defense and our improvement this past season,” head coach Ed Comeau said. “We are happy to have back his grit and tenacity in the defensive zone, in transition and especially on loose balls.”
During the 2017 season, the 28-year-old played in all 18 regular season games and recorded 12 points (2G, 10A), collected 76 loose balls, and caused 13 turnovers. In the Swarm’s four-game postseason sweep, the R.I.T. alum collected seven loose balls and caused one turnover.
“It was such a no-brainer,” Crepinsek said. “I never thought of really considering anything else. As soon as I talked with John [Arlotta] and we figured out the contract, it was done, it was easy. There was no place else I’d rather be in. It means a lot that they reached out so quickly and wanted to get it done so quickly, and we got it done. Now I can relax and get ready for the season.”
Crepinsek’s showcased his versatility early in 2017 with a three-point (1G, 2A) game against the Vancouver Stealth on Jan. 28. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defenseman also finished the night with 5LB+1CTO. Against the Rochester Knighthawks at home on Feb. 19, Crepinsek was a vacuum that night, scooping up a season-high 10 loose balls.
Throughout his NLL career, Crepinsek has posted 43 points (11G, 32A), 353 loose balls, and 72 caused turnovers over 86 regular season games.
The Oakville, Ontario native was selected No. 10 overall in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft and has spent his entire NLL career with the Swarm. In 2017, he helped the Swarm defense become one of the top units, finishing fourth overall in goals against with 213.
“Championship or not, we’re such a close group that it would have been not the same anywhere else,” Crepinsek said about what he looked forward to the most in re-signing with Georgia. “I think the championship obviously is huge and so important with everything that we did last year, but I think more than anything it’s the group of guys that we have, the owners and the coaching staff and everyone involved. It’s such a great place to be around.”
Free agency began on July 1st. With the signing of Crepinsek, the Georgia Swarm are the first team in the NLL to have signed a player this offseason.
Georgia Swarm Season Tickets for the 2018 NLL Season are now available by calling 844-4-GASWARM. Deposits start as low as $50 per seat. Reserve your spot in The Hive today to support your defending Champions during the 2018 Season!
