As part of the commemoration of the American Hockey League’s 70th anniversary this season, theahl.com will be taking a look at some of the legendary careers that have been carved in the AHL over the last seven decades.
One of the most popular players in Springfield’s storied American Hockey League history, Jimmy Anderson played 929 games with the Indians/Kings franchise over 15-plus seasons, earning numerous accolades and a place as one of the league’s all-time greats.
Winner of the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie in 1954-55, Anderson went on to be one of the offensive leaders on the Indians’ three consecutive Calder Cup championship teams in 1960, 1961 and 1962. He registered seven 30-goal seasons in his career, leading the league in goals twice, including with his career-best 43 in 1960-61. Anderson was named a Second Team AHL All-Star in 1961 and 1964.
A native of Pembroke, Ont., Anderson ranks 10th on the AHL’s career leaderboard with 943 games played, and is one of five players in league history to score 400 goals as well as one of 10 to record at least 800 points.
Anderson, who skated in four AHL All-Star Games, finally got his chance to play in the National Hockey League when that circuit expanded in 1967. At the age of 37, he made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings, tallying one goal and two assists in seven games.
Anderson returned to Springfield to finish out his playing career, and would serve as the team’s head coach for stints in 1969-70 and 1975-76.
