I have just learned today that former Seals and Barons defenseman Jim Neilson passed away November 5 at the age of 79. He will be terribly missed by everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing with him. Our condolences go out to his entire family, who have been trying for several years to get Jim inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 16 NHL seasons, Neilson played 1,024 games, scored 69 goals and added 299 assists. During his 12 seasons as a New York Ranger, the stay-at-home Neilson was often paired with a young Brad Park, but in 1969-70 Neilson put together his best-ever offensive season: 10 goals, 34 assists. The year before, he scored 6 goals and 29 assists and was named a Second Team All-Star at the end of the season. As a member of the Seals and Barons, he played 213 games over four seasons, scoring 9 goals and 61 assists. He was one of the main reasons for the Seals’ resurgence in 1974-75 and 1975-76 as he provided a steady presence for the club’s young and inexperienced blue line. He was inducted into the Seals Hall of Fame in 2019, and you can read his induction biography here.

R.I.P. Jim