by Minnesota Swarm (0-1) at Edmonton Rush (0-1)
On the rare occasions when it’s Thompson vs. Thompson, the Thompson family members are more than willing to have some good-natured fun while watching the game that means so much to them.
When the Edmonton Rush meet the Minnesota Swarm this Saturday night on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place, Jeremy and Miles Thompson will go from tight-knit family members to rivals. Jeremy Thompson has rapidly become a fan favorite amongst the Rush faithful, while Miles quickly endeared himself to the Swarm supporters with a hat trick in his pro debut last weekend.
This will be the first of what is sure to be many NLL rivalry nights for the Thompsons, but the first head-to-head clash actually came in college.
“When I attended Syracuse University and Miles was at Albany, my mother had t-shirts made up that were half orange and half purple, and on the back they had the hair braid and one side had my number and the other had Miles’ number,” reflected Jeremy.
“It’s going to be fun. It will be no different than backyard ball except on a different stage. The NLL is the best of the best. I’m just excited to be a part of this game and have my brother a part of it as well. It’s going to be a thrilling tilt.”
The Thompsons have played together at times as well, most notably at last summer’s World Field Lacrosse Championship with the Iroquois Nationals. In fact, the four Thompson brothers – older siblings Jeremy and Haina plus the younger duo of Miles and Lyle – played with cousin Ty and were coached by their father Jerome Sr. on the crowd-favorite Nationals squad which captured its first medal taking home the bronze.
Jeremy, slotted 35th in IL Indoor’s Top 50 NLL Players poll, and Miles, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft, bring a passion for lacrosse to their respective teams that few can equal.
“I think the similarities we both bring to lacrosse is our mentally,” said Jeremy. “We both play the game to entertain the Creator. It’s about how we go out there with a clear state of mind, put our best effort forth, encourage the people around us, and have fun.”
The Rush’s Thompson brings an edge to the Rush that had been lacking before he came to Edmonton for the 2013 season. He was expected to bring a physical bite and give the Rush a capable faceoff man. Thompson has added some timely offensive punch, an aggressive approach to tracking down loose balls, and overall hustle that easily rubs off onto his teammates.
On a team stacked with all-star calibre standouts, Thompson could have become an afterthought. But via a breakout 2014 campaign, he has instead become an integral part of the lineup.
“I think confidence and believing pushed me forward last year. Putting those two words in my belief system took away half the battle,” said Thompson. “I just going to continue to make myself a better, teammate in the best way that I can.”
Thompson was duly recognized by the Rush for last season’s efforts as he claimed his second consecutive Unsung Hero Award from the team. It’s the kind of reward that’s not so easily identified and doesn’t have the glamour of say Most Valuable Player. Yet it’s the perfect compliment to Thompson.
“An unsung hero is someone who is willing to lay it on the line for the team and do all the little things that make the team better,” said Thompson. “This award means the world to me because all the hard work that I put in during the off-season is recognized. It makes me feel great that my hard work is recognized.”
2015 Edmonton Rush Season Tickets are now on sale and single game tickets are now on sale. The Rush open the 2015 Season, Saturday, January 10, 2015 against the Minnesota Swarm. For more information, please visit www.edmontonrush.com or phone 780 732-RUSH to speak with a ticket representative and get your tickets to the 10th year of Edmonton Rush lacrosse.
Team Details
Friday, January 9, 2015
8:30 pm-10:30 pm Practice – Leduc Recreation Centre
Saturday, January 10, 2015
9:00 am-10:00 am Rush Shoot Around Practice – Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place
10:15 am-11:45 am Swarm Shoot Around Practice – Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place
7:00 pm Game Time
