1962-63 Topps 49 Jim Neilson Hockey Card (Front)
1962-63 Topps 49 Jim Neilson Hockey Card (Back)
Card Notes
This 200-pounder came out of Western Canada to win rookie-of-the-year honors at defense with Kitchener-Waterloo in Eastern Pro loop last season. Part-Indian, Jim packs a real blazing shot from blue line, hits hard too.
En Français
Ce gaillard de 200 livres passa de Western Canada pour gagner le titre de la recrue de l’année à la défense pour Kitchener Waterloo dans EPA la saison dernière. Particulièrement Indien Jim possède un lancé rapide de la ligne bleue et frappe très fort.
Details
The stats on the back of this 1961-62 Topps hockey card depict Jim Neilson’s season of minor pro hockey in 1961-62, the only year he would spend in the minors. Playing for the Kitchener Waterloo Beavers in the EPHL, Neilson was honoured with the Best Rookie award. The Beavers featured several future NHLers, including Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert, Bryan Hextall and Dave Balon.
1962-63 marked the start of a lengthy NHL career for Jim. He was an instant regular on the blue line for the Rangers and would remain with the club for the next twelve years. Neilson finished fifth that year in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. Kent Douglas from the Toronto Maple Leafs won the award with Doug Barkley, Wayne Hillman and Ed Johnston also in the running. Of the five, four were defensemen and Johnston, of course, was a goalie.
Between 1962-63 and 1977-78, Jim Neilson appeared in 1,023 regular season and 65 Stanley Cup playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Rangers, California Seals and Cleveland Barons. He topped off his playing career with a year in the WHA with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1978-79 season.