Gord Lane

Last updated
Gord Lane
Born (1953-03-31) March 31, 1953 (age 72)
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
NHL draft 134th overall, 1973
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 19731987

Gordon Thomas Lawrence Lane (born March 31, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders from 1975 to 1986. With the Islanders Lane won the Stanley Cup four times, from 1980 to 1983.

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Playing career

Lane played junior in the WCHL, first with the Brandon Wheat Kings and, after a trade, with the New Westminster Bruins.

Originally selected in the 1973 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Lane was signed to a minor league contract with the Fort Wayne Komets. He was subsequently traded to the Dayton Gems, farm team to the Washington Capitals. After winning the Turner Cup with the Dayton Gems, coach Tom McVie and several Gems players were promoted to the Washington Capitals. Signed by the Capitals in 1976, Lane played parts of five seasons, leading the team in penalties in three of those seasons. Unhappy about his playing time with the Caps, he threatened retirement during the 1979–80 season. He was eventually traded to the New York Islanders for forward Mike Kaszycki on December 7, 1979, remaining with that club for the rest of his NHL career.

Lane's first game for the Isles was against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, a 5–4 loss. Lane immediately made his presence known during the game, throwing several hits while also getting involved in several scrums. Lane's tough, defensive abilities did not go unappreciated by Islanders head coach Al Arbour, who, like Lane, was a stay-at-home defenceman during his own playing career. Lane helped guide the Islanders steady defence during their four straight Stanley Cup championships (1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983).

Early in the 1984 playoffs, Lane was injured and missed most of the Islanders' playoff run, and the Islanders lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1970–71 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 2004453
1971–72 Brandon Wheat KingsWCHL63716231061112319
1972–73 New Westminster Bruins WCHL3621315115500029
1973–74 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 6711415214401127
1974–75 Dayton Gems IHL50610162251413431
1975–76 Washington Capitals NHL 310112
1975–76 Hampton Gulls SHL 1217858
1975–76 Dayton GemsIHL55122234227150111185
1976–77 Washington CapitalsNHL8021517207
1977–78 Washington CapitalsNHL692911195
1977–78 Hershey Bears AHL 40118
1978–79 Washington CapitalsNHL6431514147
1978–79 Hershey BearsAHL501148
1979–80 Washington CapitalsNHL1924653
1979–80 New York Islanders NHL55214161522113485
1980–81 New York IslandersNHL6039121241215632
1981–82 New York IslandersNHL5101313981904461
1982–83 New York IslandersNHL44347871812332
1983–84 New York IslandersNHL370337040002
1984–85 New York IslandersNHL571898310002
1986–87 Springfield Indians AHL62268117
NHL totals539199411312287531417214

Awards and achievements