James W. Huscroft (born January 9, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who spent parts of ten seasons in the National Hockey League. Playing career Huscroft was born in Creston, British Columbia. A tough defensive defenceman, Huscroft accumulated almost 3,000 penalty minutes in his professional hockey career, including over 1,000 in the National Hockey League (NHL). While a slow skater and not possessing tremendous natural abilities, Huscroft succeeded in pro hockey due to his tremendous grit, work ethic, and perseverance. Though he was never more than a sixth or seventh defender on any team in the NHL, he was a consummate warrior and leader, and well respected by teammates and rivals alike. Huscroft was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1985 NHL Draft, and turned professional in 1987. He spent five years with New Jersey's top AHL affiliate in Utica, and also managed to appear in 65 NHL games for the Devils before moving to the Boston Bruins organization in 1992. He managed to crack Boston's NHL roster for good midway through the 1993–94 season, and stuck in the NHL for the next six seasons, also suiting up for the Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, and Washington Capitals. He finished his career in 2001 with 5 goals and 37 points in 352 career NHL games, along with 1,065 penalty minutes. Huscroft was an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League, and currently works with HES, Hockey Educational Systems in Renton, Washington, instructing amateur ice hockey players of all levels and is the director of facilities for Sno-King Ice Arenas (Renton and Kirkland, Washington). Career statistics Regular season and playoffs References External links Profile at legends of hockey.net 1967 births Boston Bruins players Calgary Flames players Canadian ice hockey defencemen Ice hockey people from British Columbia New Jersey Devils draft picks Living people New Jersey Devils players People from the Regional District of Central Kootenay Phoenix Coyotes players Portland Pirates players Providence Bruins players Seattle Breakers players Seattle Thunderbirds players Tampa Bay Lightning players Utica Devils players Vancouver Canucks players Washington Capitals players