Jim Neilson

This article is about the ice hockey player. For other persons named James Neilson, see James Neilson.

James Anthony "Chief" Neilson (November 28, 1940 – November 6, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals, and Cleveland Barons.

Jim Neilson
Born	(1940-11-28)November 28, 1940 Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	November 6, 2020(2020-11-06) (aged 79) Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	New York Rangers California Golden Seals Cleveland Barons Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1962–1979

Neilson was born in Big River, Saskatchewan. He played a total of 1023 games in the NHL, with 69 goals and 299 assists. He played from 1962–63 season to 1977–78 season in the NHL and 1978–79 in the WHA.

Neilson died on November 6, 2020.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1958–59	Prince Albert Mintos	SJHL		10	1	2	3	6		—	—	—	—	—
1959–60	Prince Albert Mintos	SJHL		57	21	28	49	61		7	2	2	4	6
1960–61	Prince Albert Mintos	SJHL		59	20	26	46	59		—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	Kitchener Beavers	EPHL		70	9	33	42	78		7	2	3	5	2
1962–63	New York Rangers	NHL		69	5	11	16	38		—	—	—	—	—
1963–64	New York Rangers	NHL		69	5	24	29	93		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	New York Rangers	NHL		62	0	13	13	58		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	New York Rangers	NHL		65	4	19	23	84		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	New York Rangers	NHL		62	4	11	15	65		4	1	0	1	0
1967–68	New York Rangers	NHL		67	6	29	35	60		6	0	2	2	4
1968–69	New York Rangers	NHL		76	10	34	44	95		4	0	3	3	5
1969–70	New York Rangers	NHL		62	3	20	23	75		6	0	1	1	8
1970–71	New York Rangers	NHL		77	8	24	32	69		13	0	3	3	30
1971–72	New York Rangers	NHL		78	7	30	37	56		10	0	3	3	8
1972–73	New York Rangers	NHL		52	4	16	20	35		10	0	4	4	2
1973–74	New York Rangers	NHL		72	4	7	11	38		12	0	1	1	4
1974–75	California Golden Seals	NHL		72	3	17	20	56		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	California Golden Seals	NHL		26	1	6	7	20		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Cleveland Barons	NHL		72	3	17	20	42		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Cleveland Barons	NHL		68	2	21	23	20		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Edmonton Oilers	WHA		35	0	5	5	18		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1024	69	299	368	904		65	1	17	18	61
WHA totals				35	0	5	5	18		—	—	—	—	—