Unlike many of his counterparts, Tynan Lawrence sees no need to alter his development plan. The Canadian under-18 team forward has decided not to go to the CHL before entering the NCAA, instead continuing his development with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Unlike many of his counterparts, Tynan Lawrence sees no need to alter his development plan.
The talented Canadian forward resisted any temptation to give the CHL a shot when the NCAA made a groundbreaking rule change last November — and is sticking with his strategy to play in the United States Hockey League this season.
While the USHL has lost some big names to the Canadian major junior ranks since the NCAA announced that CHL players could play U.S. college hockey starting this season, Lawrence is returning to the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks after being named playoff MVP in his team’s run to its first Clark Cup title in 2024-25. He has verbally committed to play NCAA hockey at Boston University.
“i kind of just picked to stay in Muskegon because they have great development there and they really care about their players,” the Fredericton native, 17, said in an interview before going to Czechia to play in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with the Canadian under-18 team. “With the way the season ended, it’s hard to leave such a good organization. You build a bond with those guys and coming back next year, you just want to do it again.”
After playing two seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota, the former home of another pretty good player from the Maritimes, Lawrence was picked 10th overall by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2024 QMJHL Draft.
But instead of taking the Sidney Crosby route of going to the QMJHL (where he won a league title with the Rimouski Oceanic after his time at Shattuck-St. Mary’s), Lawrence decided to stay south of the border for junior hockey.
Some USHLers went to the CHL within weeks of the NCAA changing its rule last November, while others have made the move this off-season. Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery and Detroit Red Wings goalie prospect Rudy Guimond were two of the big names to make in-season moves, advancing to the Memorial Cup with the London Knights and Moncton Wildcats, respectively.
Ask Lawrence to name some of his favourite players and you’ll understand why he feels very comfortable in Muskegon.
“Growing up, I always liked Crosby. He was always my favourite player growing up. But in recent years, (Macklin) Celebrini, watching him, growing up through the USHL, college and now the NHL, I feel like he’s a great all-around player and a really good player to model your game after,” Lawrence said.
Like Lawrence, Celebrini is a Canadian. Like Lawrence, Celebrini played in the USHL (Chicago Steel). And like Lawrence, Celebrini committed to Boston University. The latter played one season for the Terriers and became the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award before going first overall to the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Lawrence figures to be drafted before he goes to Boston U — many project him as a top-10 pick next year — but the comparisons to Celebrini could start in Beantown if he enjoys similar success there.
“I’ve always been decided on Boston. Even before the rule change, I wanted to go there,” Lawrence said.
“… They’ve (worked) with a lot of high-end players. They know how to develop their players and get them ready for the next level.”
The five-foot-11 Lawrence had 25 goals and 29 assists for a team-best 54 points in 56 games last year before putting up eight goals and 10 assists in 14 playoff games, once again tops on the Lumberjacks.
Lumberjacks head coach Colten St. Clair, promoted from associate coach this off-season, was thrilled when he found out Lawrence was planning to return to the shores of Lake Michigan.
“You give a little bit more rope (to certain players) to make some extra plays in certain moments. He’s that guy,” St. Clair said.
“Why I’m super comfortable to do that is because if he does turn it over, look who gets it back right away. There’s such a compete to want to be a winner, which he already is, with (the Canadian) under-17 program, the USHL (championship), first-team all-rookie, playoff MVP. The accolades speak for themselves. But people don’t understand how driven he really is. His internal drive and hunger is what makes him (stand out).”
St. Clair thinks the USHL can remain a great spot for high-end juniors like Lawrence.
“I’m fully confident in the work we’re willing to put in and develop our players to not only be better players, but to be leaders of men,” St. Clair said. “… That’s the next step he has to take. Now, he’s going to be a top guy in the USHL, I go back to his skill set and all that speaks for itself. Now next step of his development is being that guy as a leader. And really trying to be comfortable in his own skin and his own play style while having a little bit more responsibility put on him.”
The Lumberjacks named Lawrence team captain earlier this week. They didn’t shy away from showing their appreciation for his decision in the announcment.
“It’s well documented by many that Tynan has lots of options for the 2025-26 season,” Lumberjacks president Steve Lowe said. “It goes to show you the character Ty has. As a 16-year-old last year, he led our team and program to the ultimate goal. In today’s hockey and sports culture, it makes you appreciate Tynan even more and shows the entire hockey world how loyal and high-charactered he is.”
Lawrence has two assists in three games for unbeaten Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The Canadians face the U.S. in a semifinal on Friday.
When the tournament ends, Lawrence will continue the process of trying to climb the draft boards in a familiar spot.
“I try to focus in day by day but at the end of the day, you just want to put your best foot forward and try to get drafted as high as possible,” Lawrence said. “You try to keep that in back of your mind and focus on what you can do to make that possible.”
