islesinfo - Jim Cummins

Jim Cummins was acquired by the New York Islanders on January 15, 2002 from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for minor league forward Dave Roche. The minor deal was pulled off midway through the 2001-02 season by GM Mike Milbury as an answer to provide the Islanders with some much needed toughness. With the team on the hunt of ending a seven year playoff draught the biggest concern among observers was the lack of toughness and the lack of a true enforcer. While Cummins was not one of the most feared players in the NHL, he never backed down from a challenge.

Probably his most memorable game as an Islander came late in the season at the Nassau Coliseum against the Islanders biggest rivals, the New York Rangers. The 31 year old Cummins stood up to Rangers enforcer Dale Purinton and even though the result was not in his favor, Jim showed a lot of heart in the process. Bloodied, Cummins returned to finish the game all stitched up and with what looked like a broken nose, gaining the respect of the fans and his fellow Islanders teammates.

The Islanders and coach Peter Laviolette picked and chose the games in which to insert Cummins depending on the toughness of the opponent. By seasons' end he got into a total of 10 contests and in the playoffs against Toronto Cummins saw action in one game, recording nine PIM's. There were those who felt that the Islanders would have re-signed Cummins for the 2002-03 season, but Milbury had other plans and allowed Jim to become a free agent in July of 2002. A month earlier, Milbury had acquired a younger Eric Godard from the Florida Panthers in hopes of eventually handing over the tough guy role to him.

Before joining the Islanders the veteran Cummins, who first played in the NHL during the 1991-92 season, had already gained the status of journeyman by skating for seven other clubs: Detroit, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Phoenix, Montreal and Anaheim. After his release from the Islanders, Cummins had a hard time finding a job. He returned in 2003-04 as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche. He recorded 3 points in 55 games played in what would turn out to be his final season.

Originally drafted by the Rangers in 1989, Cummins played for the Michigan State Spartans from 1988 to 1991.