The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Kyle Lawson to a two-year, entry-level contract and assigned him to the Albany River Rats.
He will join the River Rats for the remainder of this season in the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout agreement.
Lawson, 23, recently completed his senior season at Notre Dame, leading all defensemen and ranking third on the team in scoring with 22 (4-18) points in 38 games.
A native of Southfield, Ind., Lawson ranked fourth among CCHA defenseman in scoring with three goals and 15 assists in 28 conference games, including one game-winning goal and three power-play tallies.
Drafted by Carolina in the seventh round (198th) overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Lawson completed his collegiate career with 90 (17-73) in 161 games.
Lawson receives an $80,000 signing bonus and will be paid $500,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the AHL level in 2010-11 and $525,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the AHL level in 2011-12.