Fredericton’s own Tynan Lawrence was selected in the first round of the NHL draft by the St. Louis Blues on Friday night.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lawrence’s name to make him the eleventh player picked in the draft and the only Maritimer in last night’s first round.
“It’s a pretty special moment, especially, being where I’m from and kind of the support that I’ve had … growing up,” Lawrence said in an interview.
“Walking up on stage was, you know, definitely a surreal moment.”
Lawrence said the moment was not only his to enjoy but for everyone that has supported him.
“It’s pretty special for kind of everyone that’s seen me grow up and helped me along the way and support me, whether it’s, you know, a lot as a coach or even as a friend, just being there,” said Lawrence.
The 17 year old forward was joined by his family in Buffalo waiting for his name to be called.
Lawrence also had photos printed on the lining of his suit jacket showing his family, past teams and supporters.
“They’ve been with me the whole time. So I thought just walking up there on stage with them too, it was pretty special.”
He also knew many of his friends were back at home watching. Lawrence has been busy responding to messages of congratulations, including from Blues players Jordan Binnington and Robert Thomas.
“Being able to kind of see all the support I get from back home and knowing that everyone is supporting me and, you know, in my corner is a great feeling and I’m super grateful.”
Lawrence said he wasn’t sure if he’d be picked by St. Louis but thought his name would be called soon.
He said his draft year has been busy so he’s glad to be drafted and “back to playing hockey.”
Jamie Heffernan, the owner of JH Sports, is not surprised Lawrence is already refocused on improving his play.
Heffernan works with players on the Tampa Bay Lightning and said Lawrence’s work ethic is just like the pros.
“He was just completely wired different in the pace that he would do a drill. And so it’s something that definitely stood out with him since the first time I was ever on the ice with him.”
Heffernan has been working with Lawrence to develop his skills since he was 11-years-old. He said Lawrence is a strong offensive and defensive player who is a serious competitor.
Heffernan has had over 25 NHL teams call him about Lawrence ahead of the draft and he was told that Lawrence is “highly regarded.”
Lawrence isn’t the first Frederictonian to join the Blues organization.
Fredericton-native Jake Allen was drafted by St. Louis in 2008 and played most of his NHL career there.
“Growing up, always doing [Allen’s] little mini hockey camps in the summer, just kind of looking up to him as an NHL player. I thought that was always very special and very cool.,” said Lawrence.
He played years of minor hockey in Fredericton, including for the Fredericton Blues whose jerseys are inspired by St. Louis’s.
Lawrence said the connection is “very special.”
He also attended Shattuck St. Mary’s School in Minnesota which its hockey team is known for producing NHL talent like fellow Maritimers Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
Lawrence currently plays at Boston University. He joined the team part way through the season after playing some games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League.
He played 83 games with the Lumberjacks putting up 89 points. He also represented Canada at this year’s under-18 world championships where he scored six points in five games.
In his 18 games with Boston University he collected seven points in 18 games. At 17-years-old, Lawrence is one of the youngest players in college hockey. He’s set to return to Boston for the upcoming season.
But first, he said he’s headed to the Blues’ development camp Sunday.
