Onondaga Nation Lyle Thompson Named 2017 National Lacrosse League MVP
Amy Morris
Thrilling Indian country, professional lacrosse fans and his own Onondaga Nation, Lyle Thompson was named the 2017 National Lacrosse League Most Valuable Player on June 28. After a season in which he scored 116 points, Thompson is the first Georgia Swarm player to earn the title.
āItās an honor to be here playing in this league. Itās given me a lot of opportunities to help me grow as a person.ā Thompson said in a Swarm release. āIāve been grateful enough to come down here, step right in and play and be a part with people that have helped me become not just a great player but a better person⦠Iāve never been apart of a team like this one. Every single guy has helped in a different way, and weāre all fighting to achieve the same goal.ā
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In the championship game against Saskatchewan, Lyleās brother Miles set up the winning goal during the sudden death overtime match with an underhanded, one-armed pass. The goal clinched the win 15-14 and the Champions Cup for the Georgia Swarm.
Other nominees for the 2017 MVP were Mark Matthews (Saskatchewan) and Corey Small (Vancouver).
āWhat I thought really differentiated him from other players in the leagueāwinning the scoring title obviously takes a whole lot of talent, but the things he did when he didnāt have the ball, the battling for loose balls, the pressing up the floor, the going back to play defense, those are the things that were not only a big part of our success but woven into the fabric of what Lyle Thompson is.ā Swarm Coach Ed Comeau said.
āHeās a complete player. Heās not an offensive player, heās not a defensive player, heās not a transition player. Lyle is a complete player, and Iām glad that others around the league saw what we saw.ā
Lyleās athleticism yielded 126 loose balls, 15 turnovers, and 21-44 in face-offs this season, helping to give the Georgia Swarm its 13-5 record, and the number one seed in the divisional playoffs against Rochester Knighthawks.
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The 24-year-old averaged 2.5 goals and 3.9 assists per game and completed the regular season with a .194 shooting percentage. Lyle also brought in 37 power play points, three shorthand goals, and had four games of 10 or more points.
āIām thankful for the opportunity [Swarm Owner and General Manager] John Arlotta has given me,ā Thompson said in the release, āthe coaching staff whoāve helped me build my confidence, putting the ball in my stick, not putting me down or anything like that⦠My teammates whoāve helped me on and off the field, weāve built chemistry this yearā¦Last, but not least, my brothers who push me everyday to become a better player, a better person.ā
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Lyle and his brothers Jeremy, Jerome and Miles, have made headlines throughout their lacrosse careers. Lyle and Miles are recipients of The Tewaaraton Award; the brothers are Nike-sponsored, play internationally for the Iroquois Nationals, own a successful lacrosse organization Thompson Brothers Lacrosse, and have set a Guinness World Record for most siblings to play in a professional lacrosse game during the 2017 Swarm season opener.