Players from the National Lacrosse League (NLL) are participating in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) during the offseason, with many stars joining different teams across the league. Georgia Swarm players are among those active in summer play, continuing their competition outside of the NLL season.
Lyle Thompson, a key forward for the Georgia Swarm, is playing for the Six Nations Chiefs this summer and has already recorded 12 points, including five goals and seven assists. He is joined on the Chiefs by fellow Georgia forwards Brendan Bomberry and Shayne Jackson. Meanwhile, rookie defender Jacob Hickey represents Georgia on Brooklin LC, having notched seven points in six games so far.
Other Swarm players have found roles on various MSL teams. Transition players Liam McGrath and Seth Van Schepen are competing for Owen Sound North Stars and Brampton Excelsiors respectively, putting them up against their regular-season teammates.
The involvement of NLL athletes in MSL reflects a pattern where professional lacrosse players use summer leagues to maintain their form and face high-level competition before returning to their main squads in the fall. This cross-team participation also creates temporary rivalries among club teammates who find themselves opponents during the offseason.
“Only adding to the sheer might and roster disparity in the MSL, joining the Six Nations Chiefs once again is Swarm forward and lacrosse star Lyle Thompson, currently climbing the point ladder with his 12 points (five goals, seven assists). Thompson is joined on the Chiefs by fellow Georgia forwards Brendan Bomberry and Shayne Jackson.”
“Across the bench, however, sits rookie Georgia defender Jacob Hickey, making his return to Brooklin LC with a quick seven points in six games. But the web of intrasquad rivalries only thickens for the Swarm, as transition players Liam McGrath and Seth Van Schepen line up to compete against their NLL teammates with Owen Sound and Brampton.”
Georgia’s representation within MSL highlights how top-tier talent from multiple NLL franchises contributes to competitive balance throughout Canadian box lacrosse each summer.
