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Minny picks up face-off stud Jay Thorimbert in a deal with the Blazers.

With Travis Hill sidelined for likely the entire 2010 National Lacrosse League season, the Minnesota Swarm have traded for Jay Thorimbert, who kinda had a bit of a pro breakout season last winter playing full-time for the first-year Boston Blazers. The Blazers pikced up the Swarm’s second rounder in 2011.

“Jay gives us an instant upgrade in the face-off circle and also fills a need at the position due to Travis Hill’s injury,” Minnesota GM Marty O’Neill said. “Jay appeared in 15 games last season for the Blazers and gives us some good NLL experience heading into 2010. We are really looking forward to getting him into training camp.”

Previously, Thorimbert was property of the Buffalo Bandits, unable to crack an everyday spot, Boston took him in the Expansion Draft leading into last season, Thorimbert’s 372 draws taken ranking him first in ‘09, all while holding down just under a 60% win percentage at the circle. The former Niagara Thunderhawk was one of only three pros last year that cracked the 200 draw win club (217), joining both Geoff Snider (260) and Stephen Peyser (239).

Late last week, the Washington Stealth also flipped the switch picking up Buffalo’s Dispersal Draft pickup, Jamieson Koesterer, who spent his rookie season with the Portland Lumberjax last winter.

“It’s great to add another top NCAA talent to our roster,” said Stealth GM Johnny Mouradian.  “After playing against him last year, we were really impressed with his size, strength and athleticism.  His face-off capability adds a tremendous amount to our team and continues to build on what we are doing to develop a championship-caliber team.”

The Stealth also picked up the Bandits’ fifth rounder pick in next month’s draft, Buffalo scoring a second round pick in this year’s deep entry draft.

Koesterer, who also has skills at the middle of the floor, joins a Stealth lineup who split their face-off duties in ‘09 between Will Dalton, Peter Veltman, Steve McKinlay and Andrew Biers.

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