Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of HF
- Name: Kyle Lawson
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-01-11
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted: 2005
- Hometown: Southfield, Michigan
- Acquired: 7th round (198th overall), 2005
- Playing In: Pro
Kyle Lawson
Prospect Grade: 5.5 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2004-05: Lawson was drafted in 2004 by Tri-City in the USHL, but chose to join the US NTDP program in Ann Arbor. In 46 games with the NTDP U-18 squad he scored 5 goals with 21 assists with 8 PIM. Also represented the United States at the WJC U-18 tournament with 1 goal and 1 assist in six games.
2005-06: Joined Tri-City of the USHL before embarking on his college career with Notre Dame. In 49 games with the Storm, he scored 9 goals with 13 assists and 40 PIM and was-3 for the season. Also played one playoff game.
2006-07: Established a place for himself as a freshman at Notre Dame, appearing in 38 games and scoring 4 goals with 15 assists while posting an impressive +20 plus/minus. Lawson's 15 assists were second only to Wes O'Neill (COL) amongst Fighting Irish defensemen as Notre Dame rolled to the CCHA regular season and tournament titles and finished with a record of 32-7-3. He also represented the U.S. in Sweden at the WJC U-20 tournament, teamming with fellow Hurricanes prospect Jamie McBain. Lawson was a +1 in seven games for the bronze medal winners.
2007-08: Lawson, like McBain at Wisconsin, stepped into a big role early in his collegiate career. Paired with freshman Ian Cole (STL), a 2007 first round pick, Lawson helped lead Notre Dame to a berth in the NCAA title game. In the Frozen Four semifinals, the Fighting Irish knocked off Michigan, a team that had beaten them twice earlier in the season, 5-4 in OT. Notre Dame fell to Boston College, 4-1, in the Frozen Four championship game to finish with a record of 27-16-4 with Lawson being selected to the NCAA All-Tournament team. In 45 games for the Fighting Irish, he 5 goals with 21 assists and was +13 with 36 PIM.
2008-09: Lawson was again a leader for Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish rolled to a CCHA regular season title and won 12 of their last 13 games including the CCHA championship game against Michigan before being stunned by Bemidji State, 5-1, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal. In 40 games, Lawson scored 4 goals with 19 assists and was +12. He was named the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman and named to the Second All-Star team for his play.The Figthing Irish finished with a record of 31-6-3.
2009-10: Big things were expected of Notre Dame but the Irish struggled with injuries and inconsistency, fading down the stretch and finishing in ninth place in the 12-team CCHA and then being bounced from the CCHA tournament with a pair of losses at Ohio State. In 38 games for the Irish, Lawson scored 4 goals with 18 assists, scoring three times on the power play and a pair of game-winning goals. Lawson's plus/minus of -7 was the worst of his four year career but had as much to do with Notre Dame's sub-par play as it did anything in his game. In fact, Lawson also played some at forward this season in an effort to give the Irish attack a boost. Following the loss to Ohio State, he signed to an entry level contract by the Hurricanes and played ten games with Albany in the AHL, registering 1 assist and finishing -1.
2010-11: Lawson spent most of his first season of pro hockey with ECHL Florida - appearing in 18 AHL games with Charlotte during three call-ups. He appeared in two November games and then three December contests before spending a 13-game stretch with the Checkers from February 15 through March 12. The offensively-skilled defenseman did not register a point and was -4 with 4 PMs during his tenure with Charlotte. In 51 ECHL games with the Everblades he had 12 assists and was -15 with 54 PMs. He played in four playoff games for the Everblades and was scoreless and -3.
Talent Analysis
Lawson is a steady, defensive defensemen with some offensive components to his game. Playing alongside the high-profile Cole in college, Lawson's workman-like approach was often overlooked. However, his steady play was a key to the success Notre Dame enjoyed during his career. Lawson stands up well at the blueline, works hard in the corners and boasts solid all-around play in front of the net. Can play a physical game but tends to set the tempo by controlling the puck and angling opponents. Though a bit shorter than ideal for a defensemen at the NHL level, Lawson plays with a lot of poise and provides offensive flair from the back end.
Future
A bit of a long-shot when he was selected by the Hurricanes in the seventh round in 2005, Lawson was one of the steadiest defenseman in college for a very good Notre Dame program. To make the jump to the next level, he must show that he has the strength and skating ability to play that type of game at the NHL level. While he will be given a look at camp, he is in all likelihood ticketed to Charlotte of the AHL to start this season. In the long range, the Hurricanes are hoping he can be a puck-moving defenseman who won’t be limited by his size. At the minimum, he projects to being a solid seventh or eight defensemen who shuttles between the NHL and AHL.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
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