GLENDALE, AZ – The Central Hockey League announced today the selection of former Oilers forward Doug Lawrence as one of five members of the ‘Class of 2013’ of the CHL Hall of Fame. Lawrence will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in May along with Hardy Sauter, Doug Sauter, Tom Berry, and Brad Lund.
Arguably, the most popular and most recognizable player to ever put on an Oilers jersey, Lawrence spent nine seasons in Tulsa from 1992-2002. Known for his toughness, loved by fans for his tenacity, and revered around the league for his skill, the Richmond, British Columbia native played a key role in leading the Oilers to the 1992-93 CHL Championship. In Tulsa’s run to a title, Lawrence recorded 61 points (14 goals, 47 assists) in 38 regular season games. He posted 18 points in the postseason which culminated with Tulsa’s 4-1 series victory over the rival Oklahoma City Blazers.
“Doug Lawrence was the heart and soul of this franchise for many years and one of the main reasons we won that championship,” said Oilers owner and President, Jeff Lund. “I can’t think of any player who has ever come close to being as popular as he was with our fans. He was an amazing talent who did absolutely whatever it took to win and there is no one more deserving of a Hall of Fame induction than Doug Lawrence.”
Over the next decade, the man who became known simply as “Dougie” would be the face of the Oilers franchise. Lawrence played 428 games in a Tulsa uniform and also spent brief period of time with the Memphis Riverkings (1992), the Oklahoma City Blazers (1995-96), and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (1999-00). Lawrence ranks number one all-time in the CHL with 684 career assists and tops the league charts with 2,109 penalty minutes. His 875 career points put him in fourth place on the CHL’s all-time points list and he still holds the CHL single season assist record with 100 helpers during the 1996-97 campaign.
“I always remember Garry Unger (former Oilers Head Coach) telling me to enjoy every moment and to play as long as you can and that’s what I did,” Lawrence said. ”I liked winning titles, but I just really liked competing and I was lucky enough to not only win but to meet a lot of great people along the way.”
A three-time CHL All-Star (1998, 1999, and 2000), Lawrence tallied 127 points in 1996-97, tying him with former teammate Luc Beausoleil for the Oilers single season record. Four times as an Oiler, Lawrence reached the 100-point plateau in a regular season and he helped lead Tulsa to seven playoff appearances.
On January 23, 2009, the Oilers retired Lawrence’s jersey. A #9 banner hangs high in the rafters at the BOK Center as a constant reminder of Lawrence’s contributions to the Oilers organization.
“I was fortunate to be in a great situation in all my seasons in Tulsa,” Lawrence recalled. ”I wouldn’t have those kind of numbers if it weren’t for my teammates. Sometimes all I had to do was give them the puck and they made me look good. This Hall of Fame selection really isn’t about me, it’s about all the coaches and players that were right there with me.”
Today, Lawrence makes his home in Tulsa and remains a favorite son of all those who call themselves hockey fans in Northeast Oklahoma.
To read the Central Hockey League’s press release about the entire Hall of Fame Class of 2013, click here.
