Merrick Thomson
Born (1983-09-09) September 9, 1983 (age 40)
Hamilton, Ontario
NationalityCanadian
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight210 pounds (95 kg)
ShootsLeft
PositionAttack / Forward
NLL draft2nd overall, 2007
Philadelphia Wings
NLL teamsPhiladelphia Wings
MLL teamsHamilton Nationals
New Jersey Pride
Former NCAA teamUniversity at Albany
Pro career2007–2009

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 played 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
2004 UAlbany 16 47 12 59 23
2005 UAlbany 16 54 20 74 22
2006 UAlbany 15 31 11 42 27
2007 UAlbany 18 56 13 69 23
NCAA Totals 65 188(a) 56 244 95
(a) 5th on NCAA career goals list

Major League Lacrosse

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team GP G 2ptG A Pts GB PIM GP G 2ptG A Pts GB PIM
2007 New Jersey 5 9 0 1 10 5 0 - - - - - - -
2008 New Jersey 12 42 0 10 52 10 2 - - - - - - -
2009 Toronto 11 44 0 6 50 13 1.5 2 6 0 0 6 5 1
MLL Totals 28 95 0 17 112 28 3.5 2 6 0 0 6 5 1

National Lacrosse League

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team GP G A Pts LB PIM GP G A Pts LB PIM
2008 Philadelphia 15 26 29 55 59 26 1 1 3 4 7 0
2009 Philadelphia 15 39 30 69 70 2 -- -- -- -- -- --
NLL Totals 30 65 59 124 129 28 1 1 3 4 7 0

References

  1. ^ "Top-Ranked Cornell Edges UAlbany in Overtime IN NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinals". Albany.edu. Archived from the original on 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  2. ^ "Merrick Thomson New Jersey Pride Player's Bio". NewJerseyPride.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  3. ^ a b "University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Media Guide" (PDF). Albany.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-17. 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. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. 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. ^ a b Stamp, Stephen (April 7, 2011). "Concussion ends the career of Merrick Thomson; Does lacrosse have a head trauma issue?". ILindoor.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
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