Merrick Thomson

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.albany.edu/sports/mens/lacrosse/mlaxstories.htm|title=Top-Ranked Cornell Edges UAlbany in Overtime IN NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinals|accessdate=2007-05-21|work=Albany.edu|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405123734/http://www.albany.edu/sports/mens/lacrosse/mlaxstories.htm|archivedate=2007-04-05}} 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.newjerseypride.com/team/roster/index.html?player_id=41 |title= Merrick Thomson New Jersey Pride Player's Bio |accessdate= 2007-09-01 |format= |work= NewJerseyPride.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071008012333/http://www.newjerseypride.com/team/roster/index.html?player_id=41 |archive-date= 2007-10-08 |url-status= dead }} 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).

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.{{cite web |url= http://www.newjerseypride.com/news/recentpridenews/index.html?article_id=422 |title= Season in Review: Offense|accessdate=2007-09-01 |format= |work= NewJerseyPride.com }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=1193|title=Thomson named Warrior Most Improved Player|date=August 14, 2008|publisher=MajorLeagueLacrosse.com|accessdate=2008-08-14|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103130932/http://majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=1193|archivedate=January 3, 2010}} 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.

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.{{cite web |url= http://nll.com/article.php?id=3063|title=Entry Draft prospect: Merrick Thomson|accessdate=2007-09-01 |format= |work=NLL.com }} 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.{{cite web |url= http://nll.com/article.php?id=3274|title=Iannucci & Thomson sweep Monthly Awards|accessdate=2008-02-05 |date= February 5, 2008|work=NLL.com }} In two seasons in Philadelphia, Thomson picked up 124 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilindoor.com/2011/04/07/concussion-ends-the-career-of-merrick-thomson-does-lacrosse-have-a-head-trauma-issue/|title=Concussion ends the career of Merrick Thomson; Does lacrosse have a head trauma issue?|date=April 7, 2011|author=Stamp, Stephen|publisher=ILindoor.com|accessdate=2013-01-09|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814112314/http://www.ilindoor.com/2011/04/07/concussion-ends-the-career-of-merrick-thomson-does-lacrosse-have-a-head-trauma-issue/|archivedate=August 14, 2012}}

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.

• 2004 – America East Conference Rookie of the Year {{cite web|url=http://www.albany.edu/sports/mens/lacrosse/mediaguide06.pdf|title=University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Media Guide|accessdate=2007-09-01|format=|work=Albany.edu|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917172900/http://www.albany.edu/sports/mens/lacrosse/mediaguide06.pdf|archivedate=2006-09-17}}
• 2007 USILA Division I All-American
• 2008 Major League Lacrosse Most Improved Player of the Year Award

: ^(a) 5th on NCAA career goals list

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Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse players

Category:Canadian lacrosse players

Category:Major League Lacrosse players

Category:Philadelphia Wings players

Category:Lacrosse players from Hamilton, Ontario

Category:Hamilton Nationals players