It's been a long time since Jim Neilson was a stay-at-home defenceman in the NHL.
But listening to Neilson talk about his journey from Prince Albert to playing in the NHL, it sounds like it was just yesterday.
Neilson had an opportunity to tell some of his tales Wednesday after the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced its 10 inductees. The 44th annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner is to be held June 19 at the Conexus Arts Centre.
Neilson was born in Big River, where his father was a homesteader. He moved to Prince Albert to attend school and lived in an orphanage until Grade 9. It was there that Neilson became involved in hockey.
"My start was quite humble but that's where I got it,'' said Neilson, who would go on to play 17 seasons in the NHL and another in the WHA before retiring. "Thank goodness I was at the orphanage because I got my schooling and my sports.''
Neilson said he's half-Danish and half-aboriginal. He had to overcome the challenges of being aboriginal while making his way through the hockey world.
"I feel like a trailblazer, but it was more because of people who have honoured me because I was one of the early guys to make the NHL,'' said Neilson, who played in 1,023 NHL games with the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons from 1962 to 1978. "Now you hear younger guys saying their fathers talked about me being one of the first. I'm glad to be thought of that way because a lot of kids are coming up and they have better chances.''
Neilson didn't feel that he was a role model while playing hockey.
"It's long grind to make it to the NHL,'' said Neilson. "I had my hurdles because you know what is going to be tossed at you because of your background. To tell you the truth, I grew up in an orphanage that was predominately white so I didn't think too much about. Then I learned this is the way the world works and it's not always peaches and cream. Once you go through that, you develop a thick skin.''
Neilson said that it wasn't tougher in terms of his race making it to the NHL.
"I really didn't notice anything that was really flagrant,'' said Neilson. "There was the odd one, which was to be expected.''
Neilson, who had 69 goals and 299 assists, felt it was harder remaining in the NHL than dealing with comments about being aboriginal.
"I was in the NHL by the time I was 19, so I was there pretty fast'' said the 68-year-old Neilson. "Staying there was the key, unless you were a star. If you were a plumber like me, you had to plug away every year and be a team player.''
Neilson's defensive pairings featured Doug Harvey, Brad Park and eventually eight seasons with Rod Seiling. In 1972, Neilson took part in the Stanley Cup final series against the Boston Bruins, which featured the legendary Bobby Orr, who would go on to win the series 4-2.
"I found myself watching him because he was the most exciting player that I played against,'' said Neilson. "I got to play against Gordie Howe, who was probably the best all-around player.''
The class of 2010 reflects many of Saskatchewan's all-around athletes, builders and teams. The athletes to be inducted are Saskatoon's Cyprian Enweani (athletics), Regina's Al Ford (football) and Saskatoon's Warren Long (gymnastics). The builders are Saskatoon's Keith Russell (gymnastics) and Regina's Don Kent (football), Gord Staseson (multi-sport) and Del Wilson (hockey).
The teams to be inducted are the 2005 world junior men's curling champions, which were skipped by Regina's Kyle George, and the 1988 CIA-champion (now CIS) University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's volleyball team.
There are currently 449 inductees in the Hall of Fame, including 195 athletes, 141 builders and 135 teams.
The 44th annual induction ceremonies are to be preceded by a golf tournament on June 18 at Deer Valley Golf and Estates. Tickets and information are available on the Hall of Fame's website at www.sshfm.com or by calling 780-9232.
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