RALEIGH, NC—Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Kyle Lawson on a two-year, entry-level contract. Lawson receives an $80,000 signing bonus and will be paid $500,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2010-11 and $525,000 on the NHL Level and $50,000 on the AHL level in 2011-12. He will join the Hurricanes’ AHL-affiliate Albany River Rats for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, on an amateur tryout contract.

Lawson, 23, recently completed his senior season at the University of Notre Dame, leading all Irish defensemen and ranking third on the team in scoring with 22 points (4g, 18a) in 38 games. The Southfield, MI, native ranked fourth among CCHA defensemen in scoring, notching three goals and 15 assists (18 points) in 28 conference games, including one game-winning goal and three power-play tallies. Drafted by the Hurricanes in the seventh round, 198th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Lawson completed his collegiate career with 17 goals and 73 assists (90 points) in 161 games. He was named the CCHA’s Top Defensive Defenseman and earned Second-Team All-CCHA honors in 2008-09, after totaling four goals and 19 assists (23 points) and registering a +14 plus/minus rating in 40 games during his junior season.

In addition to his collegiate experience, Lawson has represented the United States in international play, including service as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2007 World Junior Championship in Sweden, helping the Americans capture the bronze medal. A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Lawson also represented the U.S. at the Four Nations Tournament and the Under-18 World Championships during the 2004-05 season.