The Georgia Swarm today announced that it has re-signed third-year defenseman Connor Sellars and Leo Stouros to two-year deals.
“We are excited to have both of these young players signed and ready to go as we enter training camp this weekend for the 2018-19 season,” Swarm Owner and General Manager John Arlotta said.
Sellars, 25, was selected by Georgia No. 10 overall in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Sellars immediately made an impact in his rookie season and helped the Swarm win its first-ever NLL Cup in 2017. His defensive play continued to improve in his sophomore season. Sellars set new career-highs in points (11), assists (10), loose balls (76) and caused turnovers (13) in 18 games played.
“It feels great to finally get it done with,” Sellars said about his new contract. “I’m just ready to get to camp and be back with the team. It’s a great organization; I’m very happy to be back with them.”
The Brampton, Ontario native played collegiately at Belmont Abbey College, serving as a two-time team captain. He finished as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 235 points (156G, 79A) in 65 games.
“We want to get rolling and have a better start than we did last year and have a great year and a successful season, hopefully become the champions at the end of the year,” Sellars said about the Swarm’s expectations. “As an individual, I just want to keep progressing and growing as a player like I have my first two years, become more of a shut-down defender, help grow our backend and help us progress and be even stronger defensively over the year.”
Stouros, 24, was selected by Georgia No. 17 overall in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. Another member of the Swarm’s championship-winning rookie class, the left-hander scored his first NLL goal against New England this past March and has three career points (1G, 2A) to go along with 64 loose balls and 12 caused turnovers.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Stouros played at Colgate University, serving as one of three team captains during his senior season. The Kitchener, Ontario native finished his collegiate career with 73 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers.
“I’m glad to be back in Georgia,” Stouros said. “We’ve got a bright future ahead of us, having a good first two years there with winning a championship in the first one and being back in the East Division Finals in the second one. We’ve got a good couple draft picks that are looking to make an impact on the team with a good, core group of the same guys coming back from my first two years. We’ve got a good executive and coaching staff. The next two years should be good.”
The Swarm’s two-year deal with Stouros is pending league approval.
Georgia opens its 2018-19 season against the New England Black Wolves on Saturday, Dec. 15. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. The Swarm will be celebrating Star Wars Night presented by Peachtree Orthopedics, and players will wear special Star Wars themed jerseys and shorts.
Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used, autographed Star Wars uniforms. Select proceeds from the uniform auction will benefit the Rally Foundation.
Early-arriving fans will receive light-up Bamstix and have the opportunity to mingle with several dozen Star Wars characters in the 501st Legion, Georgia Garrison throughout the game. Tickets start at just $25, and fans can purchase tickets by visiting GeorgiaSwarm.com/StarWars or calling 844-4-GASWARM.