James Anthony Neilson (November 28, 1941 – November 6, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals, and Cleveland Barons and completed his career with the Edmonton Oilers in the World Hockey Association (WHA).
Early life
Neilson was born in Big River, Saskatchewan in 1941. As a child his mother abandoned the family, so Neilson and his two sisters grew up in St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Prince Albert.
Career
Neilson played a total of 1,024 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. He was a four time all-star.
In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Neilson at #42 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons.
Neilson was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Neilson died in Winnipeg on November 6, 2020.