Former UAA Seawolves goaltender Nathan Lawson, a second-year pro, has inched a stride closer to playing in the world's best league after signing an NHL deal this week with the New York Islanders. Until then, Nate had been under American Hockey League contract.

Lawson, 25, is snuffing shooters in the 'A' for the Islanders' affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. "Nate The Great,'' as it used to read on his helmet -- and maybe it still does -- has gone 15-7-2 for Bridgeport. His .938 save percentage leads the league one step below the NHL and his 1.81 goals-against average ranks second. He's been out lately with a bum shoulder, but is expected back between the pipes soon.

Signing that NHL deal means Lawson this season could get a sniff in net for the Isles, who are last in the NHL and might as well give a prospect a shot.

"It's a good opportunity,'' Lawson told the awesome Mike Fornabaio (in case he's Googling himself) of the Connecticut Post. "It gives me a chance, if they need me, to call me up.''

So, props to Nate, and remember, kid, keep that goal stick up -- he never did take kindly to opponents crowding his crease.