Playing career

After a junior hockey career for the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey Association, Wilson was drafted in the first round, 6th overall, in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. He then played 14 seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks and two years for the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League. He was the first captain in Sharks history, serving two years before retiring after the 1992-93 season.

Wilson played 14 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the club's highest scoring defenceman in points (779 — fifth overall), goals (225 — 12th overall) and assists (554 — third overall). Wilson is fifth all-time in games played (938) for Chicago. He also led all Blackhawks defencemen in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons (1980-81 through 1990-91). In 1982, he was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy, as the League's top defenceman. That year, he had 39 goals and 85 points, which is still the Blackhawks single-season records for goals and points for a defenceman.

He was selected to eight NHL All-Star Games (seven with Chicago and one with San Jose). While with Chicago, Wilson was named as an NHL First Team All-Star in 1982 and twice was named as an NHL Second Team All-Star (1985 and 1990).

Acquired by San Jose from Chicago just before the Sharks first season (1991-92), Wilson brought instant credibility and respect to the young franchise. He played two seasons for the Sharks, scoring 48 points (12 goals, 36 assists) in 86 games.

Other career highlights include serving as the franchise's first team captain (1991-93), being the team's first representative in an All-Star Game (1991-92), playing in his NHL-milestone 1,000th game on Nov. 21, 1992 (77th player in League history) and twice named Sharks nominee (1992 and 1993) for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (for leadership and humanitarian contributions both on-and off-the-ice). At his 1,000th NHL game played ceremony, he announced the creation of the Doug Wilson Scholarship Foundation. This scholarship provides assistance to worthy college-bound Bay Area students, and continues today.

Wilson announced his retirement as a member of the Sharks during training camp in 1993-94 after playing in 1,024 career games. In addition, he played in 95 career playoff games and scored 80 points (19 goals, 61 assists). The Ottawa, Ontario native scored 827 points (237 goals, 590 assists) during his career that began in 1977-78 with Chicago.

Retirement and executive career

In 2004, Wilson was named to the Positive Coaching Alliance's National Advisory Board. PCA, established at Stanford University in 1998, tries to create a positive character-building experience by using sports to teach life lessons. The "win-at-all-costs" mentality is de-emphasized in PCA.

Wilson was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in September 1999. He also serves on the NHL's board of directors for the alumni association.

In October 1998, the Ottawa 67s honored his stellar career by retiring his No. 7 sweater. Known as an offensive defenceman, he recorded 295 points in 194 OHL games with the 67s from 1975-77. In addition, during the same weekend of activities in his hometown, he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.

On May 13, 2003, the San Jose Sharks hired Wilson as general manager, replacing Dean Lombardi.

Personal life

His brother, Murray Wilson, won four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. His daughter Chelsea plays volleyball for the University of Southern California. His son Doug played hockey in Australia for the Melbourne Ice. Doug and his wife, Kathy, have four children: Lacey, Doug, Charlie and Chelsea. Daughter Lacey was Miss Massachusetts USA in 2010 and Miss Illinois Teen USA in 2002.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1974-75	Ottawa 67's	OMJHL		55	29	58	87	75		7	2	3	5	6
1975-76	Ottawa 67's	OMJHL		58	26	62	88	142		12	5	10	15	24
1976-77	Ottawa 67's	OMJHL		43	25	54	79	85		19	4	20	24	34
1977-78	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		77	14	20	34	72		4	0	0	0	0
1978-79	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		56	5	21	26	37		—	—	—	—	—
1979-80	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		73	12	49	61	70		7	2	8	10	6
1980-81	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		76	12	39	51	80		3	0	3	3	2
1981-82	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		76	39	46	85	54		15	3	10	13	32
1982-83	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		74	18	51	69	58		13	4	11	15	12
1983-84	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		66	13	45	58	64		5	0	3	3	2
1984-85	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		78	22	54	76	44		12	3	10	13	12
1985-86	Chicago Black Hawks	NHL		79	17	47	64	80		3	1	1	2	2
1986-87	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		69	16	32	48	36		4	0	0	0	0
1987-88	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		27	8	24	32	28		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		66	15	47	62	69		4	1	2	3	0
1989-90	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		70	23	50	73	40		20	3	12	15	18
1990-91	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		51	11	29	40	32		5	2	1	3	2
1991-92	San Jose Sharks	NHL		44	9	19	28	26		—	—	—	—	—
1992-93	San Jose Sharks	NHL		42	3	17	20	40		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1024	237	590	827	830		95	19	61	80	88

[ Source: Wikipedia ]