After scoring 11 goals and 39 points through 66 games with Houston in 2002–03, he was traded in March 2003 to the New York Rangers. Joining the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolfpack, he completed the season with 11 points in 15 games. The following year, in 2003–04, Nycholat made his NHL debut with the Rangers, appearing in 9 games. He remained with the Rangers organization in Hartford until the end of the 2004–05 season.[citation needed]
In August 2005, he signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent. He played the entirety of the 2005–06 season in the AHL with the Capitals' affiliate, the Hershey Bears, scoring an AHL career-high 57 points in 73 games. He added 14 points in 16 playoff games as the Bears captured the 2006Calder Cup. In 2006–07, Nycholat appeared in 18 games for the Capitals and recorded his first NHL goal against Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils on December 29, 2006.[2] Serving as team captain with the Bears in the AHL, he was named as a starter for Team Canada at the 2007 AHL All-Star Classic.[2]
On February 26, 2007, just before the 2006–07 NHL trade deadline, Nycholat was traded from Washington to the Ottawa Senators.[3] In the off-season, Nycholat was re-signed to a multi-year contract by the Senators.[4] He played two seasons with the Senators' organization, primarily in Binghamton. He recorded 49 points in 77 games with the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa's AHL affiliate, in 2007–08.
Just prior to the 2008–09 season, he was traded once more, this time to the Vancouver Canucks.[5] Nycholat was used primarily as a depth defenceman for the Canucks in 2008–09, playing in only 14 games before being placed on waivers. Picked up by his hometown team, the Calgary Flames on March 3, 2009,[6] he was traded the next day to the Colorado Avalanche.[7] Nycholat played in 5 games with the Avalanche before his season ended after suffering a concussion in a 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on March 22, 2009.[8]
On July 2, 2009, Nycholat returned to the Vancouver Canucks, signing a one-year contract.[9] He again linked up with the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, to provide a veteran presence. He scored 22 points in 37 games in an injury affected season before he was recalled to the Canucks to cover as an extra defenseman during the 2010 playoffs.[10]
On July 8, 2010 Nycholat signed a one-year American Hockey League contract to return to the team he previously captained in 2006–07, the Hershey Bears.[11] In his final professional season, Nycholat signed for the first time in Europe with Krefeld Pinguine of the German DEL. He contributed 6 points in just 23 games to end his professional hockey career with the intention to join his family owned logistics company.[12]
Personal life
Lawrences brother, Dan Nycholat, played as a defenseman in collegiate hockey at Dartmouth College. He played with the Braehead Clan of the EIHL Lawrence also has three sisters. Lawrence is a coach for his children's hockey teams.[citation needed]
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