Hurricanes Sign Kyle Lawson To Entry-Level Contract
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 2:56 PM EST
46 comments
From the Hurricanes:
‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DEFENSEMAN KYLE LAWSON
2005 draft pick recently completed senior season at Notre Dame
RALEIGH, NC—Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Kyle Lawson on a two-year, entry-level contract. Lawson receives an $80,000 signing bonus and will be paid $500,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2010-11 and $525,000 on the NHL Level and $50,000 on the AHL level in 2011-12. He will join the Hurricanes’ AHL-affiliate Albany River Rats for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, on an amateur tryout contract.
Lawson, 23, recently completed his senior season at the University of Notre Dame, leading all Irish defensemen and ranking third on the team in scoring with 22 points (4g, 18a) in 38 games. The Southfield, MI, native ranked fourth among CCHA defensemen in scoring, notching three goals and 15 assists (18 points) in 28 conference games, including one game-winning goal and three power-play tallies. Drafted by the Hurricanes in the seventh round, 198th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Lawson completed his collegiate career with 17 goals and 73 assists (90 points) in 161 games. He was named the CCHA’s Top Defensive Defenseman and earned Second-Team All-CCHA honors in 2008-09, after totaling four goals and 19 assists (23 points) and registering a +14 plus/minus rating in 40 games during his junior season.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Lawson has represented the United States in international play, including service as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2007 World Junior Championship in Sweden, helping the Americans capture the bronze medal. A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Lawson also represented the U.S. at the Four Nations Tournament and the Under-18 World Championships during the 2004-05 season.
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agreed … classic overachiever. Everyone talks about Ian Cole and Ted Ruth, but Lawson is the glue that held that defense — hell, that team — together as Jeff Jackson built them into a legitimate threat in the CCHA. I think he’s going to surprise people.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
See the only prospects I feel I have any real attachment to are the ones that go through the NCAA, because they are the only ones I get to see play. Thanks you ESPNU. Anyway, I am excited to hear he is on his way to Albany!
NHL Network
if you have it, is showing 3 CHL games this month. 1 WHL, 1 OHL, and 1 QMJHL. The OHL game will have Hall & Fowler in it, should be good.
please remind us of the Hall/Fowler match-up. That sounds fun. I’m really hoping we can suck enough to get Fowler.
by CarolinaCanes on Mar 10, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
I usually fall asleep watching On The Fly, so I end up with some random highlights in my subconscious sometimes. Really strange stuff.
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
Haha
Cyn4Canes did that this morning I think.
by Raccoon Fink on Mar 10, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Especially that my wife and kid are away this next week+, it kinda keeps a little noise going so it’s not so eerily quiet…lol. I used to do that to SportsCenter when I was younger; I’d set my TV to a 30 minute sleep timer. However, the TV used to cut itself back on somehow around 4-5am so I’d wake up saying “Cooler than the other side of the pillow” or whatever catchphrase Stuart Scott was overusing at the time. ;)
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
They’ll also televise the Memorial Cup, which is a great place to watch CHL guys in a pressure situation.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Just an idea but would it be possible to keep some kind of tracker or ticker or some widget that let’s us know when these kind of things are on? At the very least, maybe someone can give HMO2 a heads up and she can include it in her “Clippings” posts………
good site for college hockey:
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/tvsked.php
and you can check in on NHLN for their sked:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=58058
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
i wonder...
if our local UNC- STATE- Duke teams will ever be apart of an NCAA hockey league
what is the holdup for that to happen
He will join the Hurricanes’ AHL-affiliate Albany River Rats for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, on an amateur tryout contract.
So he’s headed to Albany, like, “now”, this week? (Maybe I’m just being a mom, but it seems like he might want to graduate from Notre Dame first) Just not sure how this works.
I remember seeing a piece last summer from TSN or Hockey News saying that Lawson was one of the Canes’ best prospects. I had to ask Cory who he was. Kinda under the radar at ND, but apparently huge upside. Anyone remember him at prospects’ camp – apparently 5 years ago? Did LTD even have her big lens that far back?
Can’t wait till we hear Dalpe’s headed to Albany (or Charlotte depending on the timing) too. “Quivering with anticipation” in fact.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
yeah … he can’t take two months just to graduate.He’’l be OK … just like the kid in ‘Almost Famous’
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Have you seen him play recently? (apparently our NCAA guys have been on ESPNU and no one felt obligated to tell the rest of us hockeynuts here at the blog. hrmph!)
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 10, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
not recently, no … just once this year, I think. But I’ve kept up with what he’s been doing. ND was ravaged by injuries and he was playing crazy minutes this year.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
I'm excited for him.
Can you imagine how this guy is feeling right now? First time getting paid to play the game he loves. Hopefully he works out well.
They already have him on the roster in Albany, wearing #7.
I count 8 D-men there. Kinda crowded on that ‘Rats blueline. He’s kind of small, shoots right. Is he competition to Rodney?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
diff. kind of player … he won’t make it as an offensive guy (which is how Rodney will, if he does), but more of a Kyle of all trades. He held his own despite being smaller in college, he’ll need to prove he can do that in the pros. But very poised, good passer, smart and dedicated defender. And a good leader.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
Aren’t I correct that Cory had posted/written before about Lawson being the kind of player who could be a real sleeper for the Hurricanes and could make a place for himself in Carolina at some point? I remember doing some research on his play after reading a post here at CC.
he’s got a shot … height/reach might be an issue, but he’s a solid kid (200+) and he moves pretty well. Just a very bright player, from what I’ve watched, and can play in all situations — tho the ND PP has been an issue. He could be an All-America this year, I think. I’m curious to see how he does in Albany. I plan on contacting Jeff Daniels in the next week, but want to give him a chance to see some of these new guys.
Know I’ve mentioned it before, he Lawson was the reason the team found Noah Babin. Francis was watching ND to see Lawson, who they had recently drafted, and Babin caught his eye. It looked like a great find to start, but then Babin fizzled out.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Just checked and after tonight’s game, the Rats have a home-and-home-and-home (kinda, 3 teams in 3 days – gotta love the AHL). Trial by fire.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 10, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
Size
At 5’11 he’s going to have guys like Malkin, Semin, Lacavalier, Carter, etc (big fowards) salivating. I’m guessing he made it to the 7th round because of size. Also, if he’s NHL caliber, why would stay in college until he’s 23, don’t tell me to graduate. If you’re NHL capable, you go back school after you’re done hockey.
7th Round
And plenty of 7th rounders eventually play in the NHL. I think you guys are over-selling this guy, but good on him for graduating and playing professional hockey, you can’t discount that.
There’s no doubt he’s a project … but for a seventh-rounder he’s already a find, IMO. The good news is he has everything going for him that he needs to succeed given his disadvantages.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 11, 2010 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
Christian Hanson...
didn’t even get drafted, stayed four years at Notre Dame, graduated and then signed with Toronto a year ago. He played against us a few weeks ago. It happens when you get good coaching at collegiate level. The kids get better. And for the mom concerned about him graduating…I’m sure Jackson will kick his ass if he doesn’t graduate.
Speaking on college guys ...
Dalpe named All-CCHA first team. Lawson gets honorable mention. LINK HERE
Any chance we see a “Zac Dalpe has signed a Rookie Contract with the Canes”?
I think he would probably deserve the Rookie contract the way he has played this year…
Zac Dalpe
I expect Zac Dalpe to sign a contract as soon as his hockey season ends.
OSU gets CCHA No. 2 Miami this weekend in the conf. tournament q’finals. Unless they can upset the RedHawks, Dalpe could be a professional by early next week.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 11, 2010 8:51 AM EST up reply actions
Where’s the “Like” Button?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Mar 11, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Re: CarolinaCanes
“please remind us of the Hall/Fowler match-up. That sounds fun. I’m really hoping we can suck enough to get Fowler.”
Hall/Fowler play on the same team. I’d rather have Gormley than Fowler. Some feel when the NHL CScouting finalize their rankings Gormley may be ahead of Fowler. From what I’ve read Gormley seems to more well-rounded and doesn’t have the luxury of playing for the Widsor Spitfires with Ryan Ellis.
Shows you how much I follow the OHL,lol. Hadn’t a clue. I’ve seen highlights of most of the major prospects, but don’t really pay attention to the teams. Thanks for clearing the up for me. The only reason I mentioned Fowler was “they” rank him in the top 3 overall and in the Top Tier of talent and it looks like we might be out of the Taylor/Tyler running. I’m reading more and more that it might not just be “those three and the rest”. You sound like you know quite a bit more about the situation than I, so Ill take your word for it. Ill definatly look more at Gormley now. What is your opinion on Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin?
by CarolinaCanes on Mar 10, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Tough Call
But, I’d go with Hall. They’re both great, but Hall’s just so explosive and has so much speed. I’ve seen him about a dozen times (TV) and he’s fun to watch. We probably won’t get the chance get either, if the season ended today, the best player on the board would probably be Brett Connolly from the WHL.
i'd rather be in the playoffs this year...
and get another brandon sutter type (a late 1st rounder)
Weren’t in the POs they year they got Sutter, tho. He was 11th overall.
by Cory Lavalette on Mar 10, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Personally
I am happy for him as he’ll be a good fit for the “Checkers” next season…as hopefully next season there will be some large spaces to fill when several of the now rats players do make the move up…but as a fan, i have been wrong before…
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
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