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James Charles Carson (born July 20, 1968, in Southfield, Michigan) is a retired American professional hockey player. He is best known for his 10 year NHL career, spent with several teams. After retiring from professional hockey, he embarked on a new career as a financial advisor.

[edit] Playing career

Jimmy Carson was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft as the 2nd overall pick. He scored 37 goals as an 18 year old rookie in the 1986–87 NHL season. In just his second NHL season he notched 55 goals, and established himself as one of the sport's top young players. Along with Martin Gelinas, he was a key part of the August 9, 1988, blockbuster trade that sent them, the Kings' three first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and $15 million cash to the Edmonton Oilers for Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski.

Carson demanded a trade out of Edmonton in November 1989 because among other reasons he could not handle the pressure of being the guy expected to replace Wayne Gretzky. Carson was traded to his home town of Detroit for Adam Graves, Petr Klima and Joe Murphy. These players were instrumental in helping Edmonton win their 5th Stanley Cup in 7 years in 1990.

Carson would later return to Los Angeles in 1992, playing with Gretzky for two seasons. He later played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Hartford Whalers, where he ended his NHL career in 1996.

[edit] Other

Carson is of Greek descent; his grandfather changed the family name from Kyriazopoulos to Carson upon emigrating to the United States.

[edit] Achievements

• Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1987.
• NHL single-season record for games played with 86, 1992–93 (Shared with Bob Kudelski)

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] External links

• Jimmy Carson's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Jimmy Carson's biography at Legends of Hockey