The Laval Rocket announced the signing of forward Liam Hawel to a one-year, one-way AHL contract.
Rocket agree to terms on a one-year, one-way AHL contract (2020-21) with forward Liam Hawel 🚀
READ 👉 https://t.co/pDyN2RY3JH#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/8bjzAYeJXx
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 8, 2020
He was a fourth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2017, but the team decided to not offer him an entry-level contract by June 1st, and allowed his rights to expire. The Canadiens snatched him up for their development camp, and he impressed sufficiently to earn an invitation to the rookie camp, and subsequently was the only tryout at the main roster training camp.
At 6’4”, 195lbs, Hawel is obviously a physically impressive presence on the ice, and could fit in a bottom six role in Laval quite easily. He has certain strong points such as an accurate shot, good hands, and deceptive speed for his size, but he certainly failed to show enough consistency to validate an NHL contract.
The team saw potential in him while observing Nick Suzuki and Cam Hillis to believe that there was enough raw potential for Joël Bouchard to work with.
In his overage season with the Kitchener Rangers this past season, Hawel scored 23 goals and added 48 assists in 54 games. He was also an alternate captain. In 313 career OHL games, he had 87 goals and 146 assists.
