The long-awaited season debut of Tynan Lawrence is upon us. The top-rated center for the 2026 NHL Draft is set to return from a lower-body injury sustained during training camp to suit up for the Muskegon Lumberjacks this weekend in a pair of road games against the Waterloo Black Hawks.

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Lawrence’s return comes just in time for another Clark Cup Final rematch as the Lumberjacks are on the road to take on the Black Hawks for the second time this season.

Muskegon’s success despite being without their captain and best player has certainly been something to watch. The defending champions can really supercharge their lineup with the addition of their No. 1 center and the player who led them in scoring during last season’s magical postseason run.

The 17-year-old pivot posted 54 points in 56 games last season, earning an all-rookie team selection. He followed that up with another 18 points in 14 playoff games to lead all players, earning MVP honors as a rookie. 

Lawrence had gotten off to a good start to his season by playing for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer. He had just three points, but was applauded for his two-way game and ability to be a reliable center.

In this year’s draft, centers are a bit scarce at the very top of the order. That puts Lawrence in position to go fairly high. But scouts haven’t been able to see him play for a bit, so there will definitely be a lot of interest in those games in Muskegon.

Lawrence is a high-end two-way center with good skating ability and strong hockey sense. He has the skill to make plays, but it’s less about flash and dash with him and more about making the right decisions.

He might be starting a little behind the curve with the early-season injury, but there’s little concern he will take too much time to get back up to speed. 

Lawrence is the top NHL Draft prospect in the USHL and one of its most critical stars in this 2025-26 season. Seeing him back on the ice is good for pretty much everyone, except for maybe the opposing teams that have to face him now.

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