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Shawn Simpson

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Shawn Simpson
Born (1968-08-10)August 10, 1968
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died January 29, 2025(2025-01-29) (aged 56)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Right
Played for AHL
Baltimore Skipjacks
National team  Canada
NHL draft 30th overall
Washington Capitals
Playing career 1988–89–1990–91

Shawn Simpson (August 10, 1968 – January 29, 2025) was a Canadian ice hockey player and on-air personality with TSN 1200 radio in Ottawa. After retiring as a player, Simpson worked in the front office for both the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs organizations.

Early life

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Simpson was born and adopted in Vancouver, British Columbia, and never knew his birth parents.[1] His family relocated to Chatham, Ontario. When he was 5 years old, his family moved to Canadian Forces Base - Rockcliffe. His parents Lyle and Shirley divorced when he was 10 years old. His father remarried and his mother moved several more times between the time Simpson was 10 to 16 years old.

Playing career

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Junior

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Simpson was a member of the 1987 Canadian national junior team that was disqualified from the World Junior Championship for their involvement in the infamous "Punch-up in Piestany". He was also a first-team OHL all-star in 1987.[2] Simpson was drafted 60th overall in the 1986 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals, the first goaltender selected that year.[3]

Professional

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Simpson's professional playing career was short, with only 35 games played over three seasons for the Baltimore Skipjacks, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Although he never officially played a National Hockey League game, Simpson dressed in 1988 and 1990 as a back-up goaltender for the Capitals for several playoff games.[4]

Executive career

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Washington Capitals

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After retiring due to injury, Simpson joined the Capitals' television network, where he worked for two years as a colour commentator while completing law school at Georgetown University. He then served as a scout in the Washington Capitals organization for the next six years. In 1997, Simpson was promoted to director of hockey operations for the Capitals, and he also served as the general manager of the AHL's Portland Pirates, the Capitals' main affiliate.[5]

Toronto Maple Leafs

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In 2004, Simpson left the Capitals organization and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a professional scout.[6] In June 2008, Simpson was fired as part of a general shake-up in the Leafs organization.[7]

Other ventures

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In April 2009, Simpson was hired by Glen Hanlon, with whom he had previously worked in Washington, to be the deputy director of hockey operations for HC Dinamo Minsk in the KHL.[8] Both men were fired in October 2009.[9] Later that same year, Simpson became the president of the Cape Cod Cubs of the International Junior Hockey League.[10]

Broadcasting career

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Simpson began working for sports radio station The Team 1200 in Ottawa in January 2012, where he co-hosted "The Drive" with Ian Mendes, as well as the Ottawa Senators post-game broadcasts.[11] In October 2013, The Team 1200 was rebranded as TSN 1200. Simpson hosted "Mornings" with co-host John Rodenburg.[12] He was terminated by Bell Media on June 14, 2023.[13]

Death

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Simpson died in Ottawa on January 29, 2025, at the age of 56. His death was confirmed by the Ottawa Senators through their X account the following day.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Baines, Tim (13 July 2013). "Shawn Simpson enjoying time as a hockey commentator on Team 1200 after experiencing his share of ups and downs". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  2. ^ Joyce, Gare (2006). When the Lights Went Out. Random House. ISBN 978-0-385-66275-8.
  3. ^ "Washington Capitals Entry Drafts: 1986". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  4. ^ Vogel, Mike (12 December 2008). "Dump and Chase: Battle of the Rookie 'Tenders; In Demand". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  5. ^ Alexander, Rachel (13 August 1997). "Capitals Promote Simpson". The Washington Post.
  6. ^ "Toronto Maple Leafs Transactions 2003-04". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  7. ^ Hunter, Paul (11 June 2008). "Losing no longer an option: Wilson". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  8. ^ Nikolaev, Sergey (17 June 2009). "Пост принял. Шон Симпсон: всех не купишь" [Post accepted. Sean Simpson: You can't buy them all]. Pressball-Online. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Hanlon will remain as head coach of Belarus' national ice hockey team". Belerusian Telegraph Agency. 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  10. ^ Cape Cod Cubs official website Archived 2010-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ TEAM 1200 Hosts
  12. ^ "How a simple conversation with my co-host changed our relationship". TSN. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  13. ^ Stephen, Allison. "Bell Media slashes 1,300 jobs, closes six radio stations across Canada". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  14. ^ Warne, Steve (30 January 2025). "Remembering Former Ottawa Broadcaster and NHL Executive Shawn Simpson". The Hockey News. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
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