Top 2026 Prospect Tynan Lawrence Joining Boston University

Center Tynan Lawrence, a projected top-five pick in this year’s draft, will join Boston University for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

In a class headlined by wingers Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, Lawrence is touted by most as the top center available in the draft. Elite Prospects’ consolidated ranking has him going No. 4 behind that trio, although he’s slotted anywhere between second and 13th overall in relevant public rankings.

The 6’0″ middleman hails from New Brunswick and has played for Canada internationally, but has spent most of his formative development in the United States. He joined elite prep school Shattuck St. Mary’s in 2022 before making the jump to major junior play last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.

Lawrence made quite a statement as a 16-year-old rookie, leading Muskegon in scoring with 25 goals and 54 points in 56 games. He added 18 points in 14 playoff games as he guided the Lumberjacks to a Clark Cup championship, taking home MVP honors in the process.

While an injury kept Lawrence on the sidelines for the first several weeks of 2025-26, he was named Muskegon’s captain ahead of his return and has 10 goals and 17 points in 13 games. Evidently, that’s how he’ll end his USHL tenure as he makes an early jump up to collegiate play.

Part of Lawrence’s intrigue is his age. An August birthday, he’ll be 17 for the entire season and is the youngest player projected to go near the top of the draft. He will be tied with Miami center Ilia Morozov, also a likely first-rounder, as the second-youngest player in the NCAA.

Lawrence was already committed to BU but wasn’t expected to suit up for the Terriers until next season. He’ll now join a squad off to a disappointing 7-5-2 start, linking up with a roster comprised almost entirely of NHL draft picks.