Boston University center Tynan Lawrence was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Lawrence entered the draft as one of the top-ranked centers in his class, earning him an ‘A’ ranking in the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Player to Watch List, projecting him to be selected in the first round.
For Lawrence, draft night marked the culmination of years of development.
Following a 2025 Clark Cup MVP season and serving as captain of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, the 17-year-old center joined BU midway through the year, hoping to inject life into an underwhelming 2025-26 season for the Terriers.
His seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games couldn’t reverse BU’s season, but Lawrence brought a new energy to a sparse offense.
Lawrence steadily built momentum throughout the season, impressing scouts with his speed, offensive creativity and ability to impact the game in all three zones.
Lawrence’s versatility was one of his biggest strengths during his freshman campaign. Whether generating offense, winning battles along the boards or contributing in key special team situations, the young forward proved he could handle high-pressure moments against top-tier competition — even if his point production didn’t reflect it.
His selection adds to BU’s long-standing tradition of producing NHL talent.
Throughout the season, Lawrence showed flashes of the high-end skill that made him a coveted prospect. Despite his draft stock going down from his projected ranking in January, it was his consistency and maturity that solidified his status as a first-round pick.
Lawrence is expected to return to Boston University in the fall, where he will continue to refine his game and build on the foundation that earned him his draft status.
This story will be updated.