Merrick Thomson

Merrick Thomson
— Lacrosse player —
Born (1983-09-09) September 9, 1983
Hamilton, Ontario
Position Attack / Forward
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 210 pounds (95 kg)
Former NCAA team University at Albany
Former NLL teams Philadelphia Wings
Former MLL teams Hamilton Nationals
New Jersey Pride
Nationality Canada
NLL Draft 2nd overall, 2007
Philadelphia Wings
Pro career 2007–2009
Shoots Left

Merrick Thomson (born September 9, 1983) is a former professional lacrosse player from Hamilton, Ontario. He played the attack position for the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse and for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.

College career

Thomson played collegiate lacrosse at the University at Albany. He was co-captain of the Great Danes, alongside Frank Resetarits, and helped lead his team to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament as a senior.[1] Thomson made an immediate impact in the NCAA. As a freshman, he equaled the NCAA single game record of playoff goals scored, with six, in a contest against the Syracuse Orangemen, earning America East Conference Rookie of the Year in 2004.[2] In 2005, he led the nation in goals scored per game, with 3.38 per game, and in 2007 was named an All-American (third-team).[3]

Professional career

MLL

Thomson plays in Major League Lacrosse with the New Jersey Pride. In limited playing time as a rookie, Thomson impressed, and has proved himself a valuable asset in the future to the Pride.[4] In 2008, his second season in the league, Thomson scored 42 goals (finishing with the second most on the season) and was awarded the Warrior Most Improved Player award.[5] During the 2009 MLL season Thomson played for the Toronto Nationals. Thomson had a career high in goals with 44. He then helped lead Toronto to the MLL Championship and won the MVP award for the playoffs.

NLL

Thomson was selected in the first round (second overall) by the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. A consensus first round draft pick, the Wings chose Thomson to strengthen their left-handed offensive attack.[6] Thomson captured Rookie of the Week honors in week 4 of the 2008 NLL season, and also was named Rookie of the Month for January.[7] In two seasons in Philadelphia, Thomson picked up 124 points.[8]

Retirement

Thompson suffered a concussion during the 2009 MLL championship game. The injury sidelined Thomson for the entire 2010 NLL season with the Wings. He was also placed on Injury Reserve for the 2010 MLL season with the Nationals. In April 2011, Thomson announced that he would not return to professional lacrosse, due to post-concussion symptoms.[8]

Awards

Statistics

NCAA (Division I)

Season Team GP G A Pts GB
2004UAlbany1647125923
2005UAlbany1654207422
2006UAlbany1531114227
2007UAlbany1856136923
NCAA Totals 65188(a)5624495
(a) 5th on NCAA career goals list

Major League Lacrosse

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season TeamGPG2ptGAPtsGBPIMGPG2ptGAPtsGBPIM
2007New Jersey59011050-------
2008New Jersey124201052102-------
2009Toronto11440650131.52600651
MLL Totals2895017112283.52600651

National Lacrosse League

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team GP G A Pts LB PIM GP G A Pts LB PIM
2008 Philadelphia 152629555926113470
2009 Philadelphia 15393069702------------
NLL Totals30655912412928113470

References

  1. ↑ "Top-Ranked Cornell Edges UAlbany in Overtime IN NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinals". Albany.edu. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  2. ↑ "Merrick Thomson New Jersey Pride Player's Bio". NewJerseyPride.com. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  3. 1 2 "University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Media Guide" (PDF). Albany.edu. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  4. ↑ "Season in Review: Offense". NewJerseyPride.com. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  5. ↑ "Thomson named Warrior Most Improved Player". MajorLeagueLacrosse.com. August 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  6. ↑ "Entry Draft prospect: Merrick Thomson". NLL.com. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  7. ↑ "Iannucci & Thomson sweep Monthly Awards". NLL.com. February 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  8. 1 2 Stamp, Stephen (April 7, 2011). "Concussion ends the career of Merrick Thomson; Does lacrosse have a head trauma issue?". ILindoor.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
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