Jay Thorimbert Bio
Jay Thorimbert is a Canadian professional box lacrosse player born on July 6, 1986, in Whitby, Ontario. He currently plays for the Ottawa Black Bears of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL). A right-handed midfielder, Thorimbert has built a long career in North America’s top box lacrosse competitions and remains an active veteran presence on the floor.
Known for his leadership, scoring touch, and durability, Thorimbert came up through Ontario’s junior lacrosse system before earning an NLL roster spot in 2006. He has since become a familiar face across multiple NLL franchises while also competing at the elite summer-league level with the Kodiaks.
Early Life and Background
Jay Thorimbert was born and raised in Whitby, Ontario, a community within the Greater Toronto Area that has produced a steady stream of lacrosse talent. Growing up in a region with deep roots in the sport, he was introduced to box lacrosse at a young age and developed his game through local and regional programs in Ontario. His size and skill set suited the indoor game, and he quickly moved up through the youth ranks.
As a junior player, Thorimbert competed in the Ontario Lacrosse Association system, suiting up for the Niagara Thunderhawks at the Junior B level before progressing to Junior A with the Akwesasne Indians. These formative years allowed him to refine the physical and two-way responsibilities of the midfield position, preparing him for the next stage of his career.
Thorimbert later attended the University of Guelph, where he balanced academics with a demanding athletic schedule. He served as a four-year captain of the university’s lacrosse team, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would later define his professional career.
Path to Lacrosse
Thorimbert’s path to professional lacrosse ran through Canadian university competition. Playing for the University of Guelph Gryphons, he earned CUFLA All-Canadian honors three times and was a central figure in the program’s success. In 2008, he was part of the championship team that won the Baggataway Cup, the national title awarded in Canadian university lacrosse.
That same season, Thorimbert was recognized with the CUFLA Most Valuable Player award and was also named Most Valuable Midfield. These honors established him as one of the top collegiate players in the country and put him on the radar of NLL scouts. In parallel, he had already been selected 24th overall in the 2006 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits, giving him a professional foothold even before finishing his university career.
Jay Thorimbert Career
Early Career (2006-2008)
Thorimbert entered the NLL in 2007 with the Buffalo Bandits after being drafted by the franchise in 2006. His first professional season offered an early look at the league’s pace and physicality, and he used the experience to adjust to the professional level. He spent one season in Buffalo before being moved in 2008 to the Boston Blazers, expanding his exposure to different team systems and coaching philosophies.
At the same time, Thorimbert was building a strong résumé in summer lacrosse. In 2008, he played Major Series Lacrosse for the St. Regis Indians, gaining valuable minutes against seasoned MSL competition. Those early years in both leagues gave him the foundation to become a reliable contributor at the professional level.
Major Lacrosse League Breakthrough (2009-2019)
After his time with the Boston Blazers, Thorimbert continued his career with several NLL franchises, including the Minnesota Swarm and a return engagement with the Buffalo Bandits in 2011 and 2012. The Bandits years were particularly important in establishing him as a consistent offensive contributor and a trusted midfield option.
Over the following seasons, Thorimbert added stints with the New England Black Wolves, Toronto Rock, and Rochester Knighthawks, broadening his reputation as a versatile and durable midfielder. His movement between franchises reflected the league’s evolving landscape, while his individual production remained a constant. He also transitioned in the MSL, being traded to the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in 2009, where he has remained a fixture in summer competition ever since.
Thorimbert’s time with the New York Riptide further underscored his longevity and adaptability, as he continued to log significant minutes well into his professional career.
Ottawa Black Bears Era (2024-Present)
Thorimbert is currently a member of the Ottawa Black Bears, the rebranded NLL franchise that continues his long professional journey. His arrival in Ottawa brought a veteran midfielder with more than a decade of league experience to a young and ambitious roster, adding both on-field production and leadership in the locker room.
Since joining the Black Bears, Thorimbert has continued to contribute at both ends of the floor, helping anchor the midfield while mentoring emerging players. His presence in Ottawa aligns with his parallel commitment to the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in Major Series Lacrosse, keeping him engaged in elite competition year-round.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thorimbert is recognized for his strong two-way play, physical conditioning, and reliable shooting from a right-handed release. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and competing at 205 pounds, he uses his size to protect the ball in traffic while remaining agile enough to contribute in transition. His long track record of captaining teams at multiple levels reflects a high lacrosse IQ and a steady, team-first approach to the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Thorimbert’s defining career moments are his three CUFLA All-Canadian selections, his 2008 CUFLA Most Valuable Player award, and his role in the University of Guelph’s Baggataway Cup championship that same year. Being selected 24th overall in the 2006 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits also stands out as a key milestone, marking the start of a professional career that has spanned multiple NLL franchises and continued Major Series Lacrosse success with the Kodiaks.
Jay Thorimbert Career Wins
Jay Thorimbert’s trophy case is anchored by major team and individual honors earned during his university career. As a four-year captain at the University of Guelph, he helped lead the Gryphons to the 2008 Baggataway Cup championship, the premier prize in Canadian university lacrosse, and was named CUFLA Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Midfield in the same season.
Major Series Lacrosse Highlights
In Major Series Lacrosse, Thorimbert has been a longtime member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks, joining the club via trade from the St. Regis Indians in 2009. His extended tenure with the Kodiaks has made him one of the recognizable faces of the MSL summer circuit, complementing his NLL schedule with high-level competition.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his university and MSL accomplishments, Thorimbert’s professional journey includes stints with prominent NLL organizations such as the Buffalo Bandits, Toronto Rock, and Rochester Knighthawks. His consistent presence across multiple franchises underscores his status as a respected and durable midfielder in North American box lacrosse.
Jay Thorimbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jay Thorimbert’s immediate family and extended background is limited. He was raised in Whitby, Ontario, a community with a strong lacrosse tradition that helped shape his early development in the sport.
Personal Life
Thorimbert has kept much of his personal life private. He is a Canadian national who has spent much of his professional career in cities across the northeastern and midwestern United States and in Ontario, playing for multiple NLL and MSL franchises while maintaining ties to his home province.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NLL season, Jay Thorimbert remains with the Ottawa Black Bears, providing veteran stability to a club continuing to build its identity. As one of the more experienced players in the locker room, he is expected to play a significant role in the midfield, contributing goals, assists, and loose-ball work while helping guide younger teammates through the demands of an NLL schedule.
On the MSL side, Thorimbert is set to continue his long association with the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks, where his familiarity with the system and summer-league opposition makes him a central figure in the team’s plans. His ability to balance two elite schedules remains a defining trait of his career.
With his track record of durability and consistent production, Thorimbert enters 2025 as a reliable contributor whose leadership and on-floor performance continue to add value to both the Ottawa Black Bears and the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks.