Jimmy Watson (ice hockey)

For the hockey player born in 1943, see Jim Watson (ice hockey).

James Charles Watson (born August 19, 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1973 to 1982. With the Flyers he won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1974 and 1975. He was inducted into the Flyers' Hall of Fame February 2016. Internationally Watson played 2 games in the 1976 Canada Cup for Canada.

Jimmy Watson
Born	(1952-08-19) August 19, 1952 (age 72) Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Philadelphia Flyers
National team	Canada
NHL draft	39th overall, 1972 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1972–1982

Biography

Watson was born in Smithers, British Columbia. He played with his older brother Joe for several seasons with the Flyers, winning the Stanley Cup together in 1974 and 1975.

Watson currently coaches youth hockey for the Delco Phantoms Midget 18U-AA team. His previous team, the Philadelphia Little Flyers Midget 16U American AAA team won the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 AYHL Championships. Watson also runs the Jim Watson Hockey Academy and Jim Watson Hockey Camp at Iceworks Skating Complex in Aston, Pennsylvania.

On June 30, 2015, the Flyers announced that Watson would be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony on February 29, 2016.^[1]

Watson is the father of two sons who have played professional hockey. Chase Watson played college hockey with the Providence Friars and later played in the minors with the Reading Royals in the ECHL.^[2] Brett Watson played in two professional games for the Wheeling Nailers.^[3]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1968–69	Calgary Centennials	WCHL		52	2	15	17	26		11	1	4	5	0
1969–70	Calgary Centennials	WCHL		35	3	15	18	18		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Calgary Centennials	WCHL		64	9	35	44	118		11	3	7	10	8
1971–72	Calgary Centennials	WCHL		66	13	52	65	50		13	3	9	12	6
1972–73	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		4	0	1	1	5		2	0	0	0	0
1972–73	Richmond Robins	AHL		73	5	33	38	83		4	1	2	3	6
1973–74	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		78	2	18	20	44		17	1	2	3	41
1974–75	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		68	7	18	25	72		17	1	8	9	10
1975–76	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		79	2	34	36	66		16	1	8	9	6
1976–77	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		71	3	23	26	35		10	1	2	3	2
1977–78	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		71	5	12	17	62		12	7	8	6	4
1978–79	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		77	9	13	22	52		8	0	2	2	2
1979–80	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		71	5	18	23	51		15	0	4	4	20
1980–81	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		18	2	2	4	6		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		76	3	9	12	99		4	0	1	1	2
NHL totals				613	38	148	186	492		101	5	34	39	89

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1976	Canada	CC		2	0	0	0	2
Senior totals				2	0	0	0	2

Awards and honours

• Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (1971–72)
• WCHL First All-Star Team (1971–72)
• Barry Ashbee Trophy (1975–76, 1977–78)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980)
• Inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame February 29, 2016