Tynan Lawrence Joins BU Midseason: Can He Secure the #1 NHL Draft Pick?

The 17-year-old phenom leaves the USHL to join Boston University, aiming for the top spot in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game in abstract, overlapping shapes and planes of color, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Tynan Lawrence's bold move to join Boston University mid-season shakes up the college hockey landscape as he aims for the top NHL draft pick.Boston Today

In a surprising move, highly-touted center prospect Tynan Lawrence is leaving the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks to join Boston University (BU) for the remainder of the NCAA season. Despite limited playing time due to an injury, the 17-year-old has been incredibly productive, racking up 17 points in just 13 games. Now, Lawrence is seizing the opportunity to challenge himself against tougher competition, potentially elevating his draft stock even higher as he guns for the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Why it matters

Lawrence's decision to change teams mid-season is a bold statement of his ambition. By joining BU, he'll face stronger opponents, which could either propel him to the top or expose him to more scrutiny. With peers like Gavin McKenna already making waves at Penn State, Lawrence's move is shaking up the junior league and college hockey scene as he aims to secure the coveted #1 draft spot.

The details

Last season, Lawrence dominated the USHL with 25 goals and 54 points in 56 games, and he continued his stellar performance in the playoffs, leading the Lumberjacks to the Clark Cup victory. Now, with the NCAA rules allowing midseason additions, Lawrence is seizing the opportunity to challenge himself against tougher competition at BU.

  • Lawrence played 13 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks this season, recording 17 points.
  • Last season, Lawrence had 25 goals and 54 points in 56 USHL games, leading the Lumberjacks to the Clark Cup victory.

The players

Tynan Lawrence

A 17-year-old center prospect who is leaving the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks to join Boston University (BU) for the remainder of the NCAA season, aiming to secure the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Gavin McKenna

A peer of Lawrence's who is already making waves at Penn State, shaking up the competition for the top draft spot.

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What they’re saying

“By making this strategic move, he's not just aiming to be the first center drafted; he's gunning for the top spot overall.”

— Kristen Shilton, ESPN reporter

What’s next

Only time will tell if Lawrence's bold move to join BU mid-season will pay off and help him secure the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The takeaway

Tynan Lawrence's decision to leave the USHL and join BU mid-season is a high-risk, high-reward strategy as he aims to challenge himself against tougher competition and elevate his draft stock. This move has shaken up the junior league and college hockey scene, and hockey enthusiasts will be closely watching to see if Lawrence's gamble pays off.