Retired former Blackhawks defenseman and current San Jose Shark General Manager Doug Wilson was chosen by the selection committee for induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Wilson’s wait for the official call was so long that it is legally old enough to consume alcohol, more specifically 24 years.
Wilson joins fellow 2020 Blackhawks inductee Marian Hossa as well as former Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla, former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Kevin Lowe and Canadian goaltender Kim St-Pierre. Former Detroit Red Wings and current Oilers General Manager Ken Holland was selected as well in the builder category.
Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Doug Wilson. #HHOF2020 | #HHOF pic.twitter.com/6F2zfuPiWW
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 24, 2020
Wilson, the sixth overall draft pick in 1977, amassed 779 points (225 goals, 554 assists) in 938 regular season games with Chicago. He also appeared in 95 playoff games with the Blackhawks, collecting 80 points (19 goals, 61 assists). Wilson was traded to the Sharks in the summer of 1991 for Kerry Toporowski and San Jose’s second-round choice in the draft. He appeared in 86 games with the Sharks, where he had 48 points (12 goals, 36 assists). He remained with San Jose following his retirement in an executive role and was named as their general manager in 2003, where he has remained ever since.
During his illustrious career, he won the 1982 James Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman and finished in the top five in Norris Trophy voting three other times. He was known for his elite slap shot and was one of the last players to play without wearing a helmet.
In addition to his Norris Trophy and Hockey Hall of Fame induction, Wilson boasts an impressive list of achievements:
- 1st Team All Star (1981–82)
- 2nd Team All Star (1984–85)
- 2nd Team All Star (1989–90)
- Eight All Star Games (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 Rendez-vous Series, 1990, 1992)
- Gold medal championship member of Team Canada “World/Canada Cup Series” (1984)
- Chicago Blackhawks leader in career goals and points by a defenseman
- Led all Chicago Blackhawks defensemen in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons
- First captain in San Jose Sharks team history