The Tulsa Oilers have announced their first signing for the 2024-25 season as they have re-signed defenseman Duggie Lagrone, who will be entering his fifth season in the ECHL and third with the Oilers. Lagrone returned to the Oilers last season, putting up four goals and 31 assists for 35 points in 71 games after spending the 2022-23 season in the UK with the Nottingham Panthers, where he put up four assists in 11 games in what was an injury-shortened season for the Texas native. The 30-year-old defenseman also played overseas in France during the 2019-20 season, putting up five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 26 games. In 143 games with the Oilers, Lagrone has put up 14 goals and 51 assists for 65 points in 143 games; he also played two games with the Allen Americans and a game with the Utah Grizzlies during the 2018-19 season but didn’t find the scoresheet in those three games. He has three assists in 11 career Kelly Cup Playoff Games.
“Duggie is a consummate pro,” said head coach Rob Murray. “He is a great teammate that gives great effort every night. He and Mike McKee were a pair last year that were great at shutting down the opponent’s top line and picked up on the chemistry they had before instantly. He chips in the odd goal and contributes offensively, and his impact extends beyond the ice. He is a very visible face in the community and is a fan favorite. It was an easy decision to bring him back for another season.”
Tulsa Oilers Head Coach Rob Murray on the re-signing of Duggie Lagrone (Via Tulsa Oiler’s Press Release)
This a solid signing for the Oilers as they begin to build thier roster for the 2024-25 season as they bring back a member of their leadership team as Lagrone would wear an “A” for the Oilers last season. He is a solid two-way defenseman who played on the top pair for the Oilers last season and led Tulsa defenseman in the +/- category as he was a +10. In 2021-22, he led all Oilers defensemen with 10 goals while playing in all 72 games, as Lagrone has only missed one game as a member of the Oilers. It has yet to be seen if the Oilers will bring back Lagrone’s defensive partner, Mike McKee.
