Quick Facts
LeoBiography
James Charles Watson (born August 19, 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was inducted into the Flyers' Hall of Fame February 2016.
Playing career
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.
Post-playing career
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 Arena 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.
Personal life
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. Brett Watson played in two professional games for the Wheeling Nailers.
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
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 | Richmond Robins | AHL | 73 | 5 | 33 | 38 | — | 83 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1972–73 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1973–74 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 78 | 2 | 18 | 20 | +33 | 44 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 41 | ||
| 1974–75 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 68 | 7 | 18 | 25 | +41 | 72 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 1975–76 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 79 | 2 | 34 | 36 | +65 | 66 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 1976–77 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 71 | 3 | 23 | 26 | +34 | 35 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1977–78 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 71 | 5 | 12 | 17 | +33 | 62 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1978–79 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 77 | 9 | 13 | 22 | +11 | 52 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1979–80 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 71 | 5 | 18 | 23 | +53 | 51 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 20 | ||
| 1980–81 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +14 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 76 | 3 | 9 | 12 | +12 | 99 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| NHL totals | 613 | 38 | 148 | 186 | +295 | 492 | 101 | 5 | 34 | 39 | 89 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | CC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| International totals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |