EDWARD LAWRENCE
Date of Birth: 1936
Place of Birth: Corner Brook, NL
Inducted: 2010 (Player Category)
Ed Lawrence put an extremely impressive 15-year senior hockey career together as an extremely talented and effective defenseman who was universally respected for his exceptional sportsmanship with the Corner Brook Royals. His great respect for hockey is certainly demonstrated by the fact that he never received a major penalty during his career despite playing in the highly competitive provincial hockey competition.
A first line defender for the Royals, he started his career in Corner Brook commercial hockey but moved immediately to the Humber Hawks and then the Royals. He played a major role in four Herder Memorial Trophy provincial championships that the Royals won in 1962, ’64, ’66 and ’68. Twice selected as the top defenseman, he won one Sportsmanship and Ability award, and was a standout Royals player in 1968 in the National Allan Cup series against Victoriaville, Quebec.
Regarded as the strongest player during his career, he drew the nickname “Diesel” because of strong skating ability that was often shown by his on-ice performances. Equally effective behind the goal and on the boards, he was indeed a great friend to all the Corner Brook goaltenders with his very protective work in goalmouth action.
In addition to his strong, solid skating and his great ability to get the puck out of his own zone, he always displayed an impressive knowledge of hockey and was known for being in the correct position, with or without the puck. His hard work, in games and in practices, as well as the friendship he earned with teammates, were important aspects of Corner Brook’s successes in provincial hockey.