Looking back at Curtis Lazar’s time with the Edmonton Oil Kings

On Wednesday morning, the Edmonton Oilers added to their forward depth by signing right-shot centre Curtis Lazar.

Born in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, this isn’t Lazar’s first stint with a team based in Edmonton. The 30-year-old spent his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, who selected him second overall in the 2010 WHL Draft. He made his debut that same season, recording an assist in six regular-season games and scoring his first goal during the 2011 playoffs, as the Oil Kings were swept by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ Red Deer Rebels.

Lazar became a regular with the Oil Kings in 2011-12, tallying 20 goals and 31 points in 63 games. He added eight goals and 19 points in 20 playoff games, helping the Oil Kings capture their first Ed Chynoweth Cup by defeating the Portland Winterhawks in seven games. He chipped in one assist during the Memorial Cup.

His 2012-13 draft year saw him post career-highs with 38 goals and 61 points in 72 games. Lazar added nine goals and 11 points in 22 playoff games, though the Oil Kings fell to Portland in the WHL Final. That performance earned him a first-round selection by the Ottawa Senators, going 17th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Lazar returned to junior for the 2013-14 season and had his best year yet, racking up 41 goals and 76 points in 58 games, plus 10 goals and 22 points in 21 playoff games. He then helped lead the Oil Kings to their first and only Memorial Cup title, scoring two goals and four points in five games, including a dramatic triple-overtime winner in the semifinal against Val-d’Or.

Notably, no WHL team has won the Memorial Cup since.

Lazar turned pro in 2014-15, scoring six goals and nine points in 15 AHL games. He spent most of the year in Ottawa, and, in 2015-16, recorded six goals and 20 points in 76 NHL games. After struggling offensively the next season, he was traded to the Calgary Flames.

Since then, Lazar has become a reliable bottom-six presence, suiting up for the Flames, Sabres, Bruins, Canucks, and most recently, the New Jersey Devils. With New Jersey in 2023-24, he posted a career-high 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 71 games, which was just one goal shy of his personal best of eight, set with Boston in 2021-22.

While Lazar hasn’t had the career many expected from a 17th overall pick, he’s carved out a solid role as a dependable, right-shot centre capable of contributing on playoff teams. It’ll be interesting to see this Oil Kings legend suit up with the Oilers

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.