Where are they now?
He was a hard-toiling, hard-boiled left winger who worked the corners and became an old Memorial Gardens fan favourite following an Ontario Hockey League trade from the erstwhile Kingston Canadians to the Soo Greyhounds during the 1981-1982 season.
In all, “Jungle” Jim Aldred played four OHL seasons as a 6-foot-2, 185 pound, gritty grinder who also had a decent touch around the net.
Aldred’s best season in the OHL was his final one, the 1982-1983 campaign, when he had 24 goals, 30 assists, 54 points and 222 penalty minutes in 79 games, regular season and playoffs included.
After leaving the Soo, Aldred played parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans, the top farm club of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.
Aldred closed out his pro playing career in the Netherlands, winning a championship with the Nijmegen Tigers and scoring 41 goals in 42 games.
Now 51-years old (he will turn 52 later this month), Aldred has become a highly-regarded development coach with the Alliston Coyotes of the Greater Metro Jr. Hockey League.
Aldred is married to the self-professed love of his life, Cristina Lopes.
PHOTO: “Jungle” Jim Aldred, as a member of the Soo Greyhounds, circa 1982.
Great article. Please do more of these “Where are they now” articles.
Good article on one of the “good guys” involved in hockey. Our time together with the Soo Thunder “AAA” midgets back in the day has lots of great memories for me with that group.
Awesome memories of that 82/83 team!9 -20 goal scores, 13 in double digits! It featured 57 goal man Kevin Conway, Wayne Groulx with 130 points, Rick Tocchet with 32 goals and “jungle” Jim of course! It was a workmanlike team and I still see the team in a picture all clad in hard hats with brooms and shovels in hand and Coach Terry Crisp in a wheel barrow!
A war of a 7 game Conference playoff series with the Kitchener Rangers followed a five game knockout of the Brantford Alexanders in the playoff run! The Hounds got vindication on the Rangers who had eliminated the Hounds the 2 previous seasons! An absolute bloodied pic of Richard Beaulne high- 5-ing Terry Crisp illustrated the war that series was!
A four game sweep to the Oshawa Generals ended the title aspirations ! The Gens were of course coached by former Hound Coach Paul Theriault and led on the defense by present Assistant Coach Joe Cirella!Solid out SMG was the standard with long lineups for tickets for every game! Great memories!
Mike, thanks and will do.
Charly, thanks and I remember you and Jim together.
Chris, always love to get the replay from the no. 1 fan in Houndtown.
Regards,
Randy
One of my all-time favrite Hounds #25 Jimmy Aldred!
Great job Randy ! It’s always nice to hear about old friends and teammates . Jim was a real tough nosed player that wasn’t afraid of anyone on the ice . Nice also to see that he is still involved with this great game . Keep up the great work !
Thanks, Wayne. As for you, the highest-scoring player to ever wear a Greyhound jersey. We shall talk soon, No. 9.
I remember Alrdid playing for the Soo against the Cents when Carmin Vani was the Cents tough guy! I think they were team mate’s with Kingston.
Randy, thank YOU for this! Thank you to all who took the time to share the nice comments! Playing for the Soo was definitely a memorable experience! The fans were extremely supportive. Oh the memories! LOL Wayne, it was a pleasure having you as a team mate. Especially with the goal scoring calibre you had! We should all meet up for a beer one day soon! Cheers to you all and thanks again!
Good job Randy… I too like where are they now. We had really good successful teams in the early to mid 80’s. We will never see hockey like those days again. Incredible rivalries especially with Kitchener…