Hockey fans in the Pacific Northwest need not be reminded that hockey has a long and storied history in the region that dates back well before the Seattle Kraken made their NHL debut in the 2021–2022 season. Perhaps the most notable team in the storied hockey history of Seattle was the Seattle Totems, a member of the Western Hockey League throughout the fifties, sixties, and into the seventies.
As far as the most notable player in the aforementioned storied hockey history of Seattle, one need not look much further than Jim Powers.
Powers passed away of natural causes on August 13th at the age of 89. He was born in Claresholm, Alberta, in 1936 and called the Pacific Northwest home, residing in Mill Creek, WA.
With the NHL season just around the corner, what better time than now to honor a Seattle hockey legend, a man they called “Jumbo”.
Powers In The WHL
Powers spent most of his 845 professional games in the WHL with the Totems, but was also a member of the WHL’s Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Blades. During his eleven seasons in the WHL, he was responsible for 248 goals and 223 assists for a total of 471 points. As impressive as those numbers are, if you ask around the region, you might find that it was the attitude that Powers displayed during his lengthy career that was his true trademark.
Former teammates made note that while he wasn’t the most boisterous of teammates, he was someone who commanded a room when he spoke. You won’t have to talk to many hockey players or executives before you hear that sort of respect is a welcome addition to any locker room. After his playing days, Powers continued to display his appreciation for speed—only this time, not on the ice, but in the form of motorcycles—opening his own motorcycle shop.
If you’re ever in the bike market, that shop is still around. It’s called Lynnwood Motoplex, located in Lynnwood, Washington.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new NHL season, but it’s important for us to remember those who paved the way to help us get to where we are today. Powers left a lasting legacy on hockey in the Pacific Northwest, not just because of his lengthy career, but also because of the respect he garnered from his teammates and the important role he played in the community.
He is survived by his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and should be recognized as a key figure in Seattle hockey history.
Home › Forums › Remembering The Legacy Of Jim Powers
Tagged: nhl, Seattle Kraken