Lawson Crouse Ready to Bring Physical Presence to Panthers

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – There isn’t much that intimidates Lawson Crouse. An old-school, two-way forward, the Florida Panthers’ prospect is often referred to as “The Sheriff,” a nickname bestowed upon him by his junior teammates for his protective nature when patrolling the ice. It’s a fitting moniker, given both Crouse’s stern demeanor and in-your-face attitude, but also because it perfectly encapsulates everything there is to love about his game. He plays a position that every team needs, but it’s not a role that can be simply categorized as something like an enforcer. With a unique blend of size and skill, 6-foot-4, 212-pound Crouse has the ability to contribute equally on both offense and defense, but it all starts with his very general physical approach to the game. “I play a big, strong, physical game,” Crouse said. “It doesn’t matter who I’m playing or where I’m playing. I’m going to play the same way I’ve always played.” The No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Crouse’s various skills were on full display at Florida’s annual development camp at the Panthers IceDen earlier this summer. He dominated one-on-one drills and, when given the opportunity, showed off the blistering shot that helped him score 23 goals and 62 points in 49 games for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League this past season. …

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