Jim Neilson

James Anthony Neilson (November 28, 1941 – November 6, 2020) also known as "The Chief", to colleagues and friends, was an indigenous Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played over 1000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals, and Cleveland Barons. He ended his career playing 35 games with the Edmonton Oilers, which were in the World Hockey Association (WHA) at the time.

Early life Neilson was born in Big River, Saskatchewan on November 28, 1941. His mother, Rosie Rediron, was Cree from the Big River First Nation and his father, Olaf Neilson, was of a mink rancher who had immigrated from Denmark in the late 1920s. When he was five years old he and his two sisters were taken in at the St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He first began playing hockey during his time living at the orphanage.

Career alt=Neilson seen in profile watching something off camera while on the ice in a hockey jersey. From age 17 to 19, Neilson played three seasons of Junior A hockey for the Prince Albert Mintos in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Neilson died in Winnipeg on November 6, 2020.

Personal life Jim Neilson was an avid sportsman, including being a talented baseball player during the Saskatchewan summers, he enjoyed fishing and was also an excellent golfer. Neilson has three children and numerous grandchildren. After his hockey career as a player ended, he briefly scouted for the Edmonton Oilers, before moving to California for a business opportunity. In 1983, he relocated back to Winnipeg, Manitoba, taking up such causes as advancing the interests of indigenous peoples, continuing to play oldtimer hockey, and spending time traveling to see his children and grandchildren. He lived in Winnipeg until his passing. Jim Neilson died of complications from a rare skin disorder at age 78.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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 — — — — — WHA totals 35 0 5 5 18 — — — — — NHL totals 1,024 69 299 368 904 65 1 17 18 61