Lauzon, 18, has spent two-plus seasons with Rouyn-Noranda, earning the Kevin Lowe Award this past season as the best defensive defenseman in the league. Kris Letang won that same award back in 2007.
The 6-foot, 187-pound Lauzon has accumulated plenty of big-game experience in his junior career. During the 2015-16 season, Lauzon and the Huskies captured the QMJHL championship, earning the club a spot in the Memorial Cup, the prestigious tournament that crowns the champion of the Canadian junior hockey system. Lauzon has played in a total of 29 QMJHL playoff games, producing eight points (3G-5A), plus he skated in four Memorial Cup contests last spring.
This past year, the Val d'Or, Quebec native notched 21 points (3G-18A) and 90 penalty minutes in 63 regular-season games. He has 34 points (4G-30A) and 173 penalty minutes, along with a plus-66, in 135 career regular-season games.
In his first full season with the Huskies in '15-16, not only did he contribute to a title-winning campaign, but he was also named to the QMJHL's All-Rookie Team.
Lauzon's brother, Jeremy, was drafted by the Boston Bruins, 52nd overall, in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Lauzon's selection marks the first time the Penguins have used their top pick on a defenseman since 2012 when both Derrick Pouliot (8ther overall) and Olli Maatta (22nd overall) were chosen in the first round.
