Simon Wang
| Simon Wang | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
July 27, 2007 Beijing, China | ||
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | ||
| Weight | 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| OHL team | Oshawa Generals | ||
| NHL draft |
33rd overall, 2025 San Jose Sharks | ||
Haoxi "Simon" Wang (Chinese: 王浩西; pinyin: Wáng Hàoxī;[1] born July 27, 2007) is a Chinese ice hockey defenceman for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was drafted 33rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Early life
[edit]Wang was born in Beijing, China. He attended an international kindergarten, where he learned basic English and was given the name "Simon" by his teacher.[2][3]
Wang started playing hockey when he was four years old, being introduced to the sport, itself minor in China by a friend who played.[2][4] In the summer of 2015, when he was eight years old, China increased its investment in winter sports in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.[2] With support from the Chinese government, Wang's mother rented a facility, built an ice rink, and hired a hockey coach and a figure skating coach. She also opened two youth sports clubs—the Beijing Capitals Minor Hockey Club and the Beijing Miracle Figure Skating Club—also with governmental support.[2] Through these opportunities, Wang began skating 3–4 times per week. Speaking in 2024 about his youth training, Wang said, "Looking back on it I feel like I wasn't playing hockey, I was just there on the rink skating around."[2]
When he was 12 years old, Wang moved to Canada to further his hockey development.[2][4] He lived with the family of Zev Zekun Zhang, a fellow young Chinese hockey player. He attended Everest Academy and played for the AAA Toronto Titans of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).[2] With the cancellation of the GTHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang returned to Beijing where he continued to play hockey. He returned to Canada at age 14, attending St. Andrew's College and joining the AAA North York Rangers of the GTHL.[2][4]
Playing career
[edit]He played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for multiple teams, including the King Rebellion – a club owned by his mother Willa Wang.[5]
In February 2024, Wang played for the Chinese U-18 national team.[2] In a 2024 interview, he stated that he takes pride in his background and would like to play for the national junior team and the men's national team.[4]
In December 2024, he transitioned to major junior hockey, joining the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He recorded two assists in 32 matches during the regular season and added three more assists during a 21-game playoff run that saw Oshawa reach the OHL finals.
Although he had previously committed to Boston University, Wang opted to remain in major junior hockey and is expected to return to Oshawa for the 2025–26 season.[6] In the 2025 NHL entry draft, he was selected 33rd overall by the San Jose Sharks.[7] Wang was the third Chinese-born player selected in an NHL entry draft, following Andong Song (selected in 2015) and Kevin He (selected in 2024).[8]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2022–23 | North York Rangers | OJHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Brantford 99ers | OJHL | 28 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | King Rebellion | OJHL | 38 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 32 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||
| OHL totals | 32 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||||
Awards and honours
[edit]| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| OHL | ||
| OHL Second All-Rookie Team | 2024–25 | [9] |
References
[edit]- ^ "王浩西高位入选北美NHL冰球联赛，创中国选手选秀最好成绩". The Paper. June 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wheeler, Scott (June 28, 2025). "Inside Simon Wang's journey to becoming the highest Chinese-born player selected in the NHL Draft". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Burnell, Hayden (December 11, 2023). Puck Talk Episode 7- Simon Wang (Video). YouTube. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d OJHL (November 8, 2024). OJ All Access Podcast #2 October 30, 2024 (Video). YouTube. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Morreale, Mike G. (November 15, 2024). "2025 NHL Draft notebook: Wang emerging as intriguing prospect". NHL. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ Kimelman, Adam (June 21, 2025). "Wang could be historic selection at 2025 NHL Draft". NHL. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "China's Simon Wang selected by Sharks as first pick of second round at 2025 NHL Draft". sportsnet.ca. June 28, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Boka, Tom (June 28, 2025). "Haoxi "Simon" Wang Becomes Highest-Drafted Chinese in NHL History". AsianIceHockey.com. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Simon Wang named 2nd Team All-Rookie". CHL. May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com