Simon Wang: A Dream Come True for Chinese Hockey
The young defenseman Simon Wang made history by being selected by the San Jose Sharks as the first pick of the second round of the NHL draft. Wang, born in China, became the highest-ranked Chinese player in draft history, an achievement that fills his country with pride.With a height of 6’5″, Wang was the number 33 pick in a draft that concluded its last six rounds at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Wang’s family moved from Beijing to Toronto when he was 12 years old to boost his hockey career, a sport that has gained popularity in China. Wang is only the third Chinese-born player to be drafted by the NHL, but he is convinced that he won’t be the last. Kevin He was selected 109th by the Winnipeg Jets last year, and Andong Song was chosen 172nd by the New York Islanders in 2015.It’s an unreal moment for my family and for hockey in China. It’s a surreal moment, a dream come true. I hope I have inspired many children at home.
Simon Wang
His real name is Haoxi Wang, but he will use Simon during his hockey career because “it’s simpler for North Americans.” Wang aspires to be an imposing defenseman on both sides of the ice, like Victor Hedman or Colton Parayko. Wang showed great potential, which attracted the Sharks and other teams. His development in hockey accelerated in the last year, which allowed him to stand out. Although he was interested in children’s hockey, it wasn’t until eight years ago, during a trip to Los Angeles, that he truly fell in love with the game. He attended a Kings game, and then a game in Beijing in 2018, which led him to move to Canada to improve his development. On Friday, Wang walked the red carpet in Los Angeles with his mother, who boosted his career. He also had the opportunity to see his brother, who studies at Boston University, where Wang could play college hockey starting in 2026 if his next year in Oshawa is successful. After minimal player movement on Friday, several significant trades were executed on Saturday. Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson was traded to Detroit, and defenseman Jordan Spence moved from Los Angeles to Ottawa. Almost all first-round prospects were present in Los Angeles, but the players decreased on the second day. The last rounds were memorable for several attendees, including Alexis Mathieu, who was selected 136th by the Ducks in the fifth round. Mathieu, a physical defenseman from Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL, knew he wouldn’t be a first-round pick, but his family decided to take a vacation to Southern California so Mathieu could attend the draft.I hope my record will be broken someday. Someone will enter in the first round, even in the top 10. There will definitely be someone who will have a big impact on the game.
Simon Wang
Selection number 223 was also present: Aidan Park, a product of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings system and nephew of former NHL player Richard Park. The 19-year-old center received the last big applause and a walk to the stage when he was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round.When I heard my name, it was something special. As they say, dreams come true. It was a bit of a vacation for us at the beginning of the week, but when I got to the center, I was in draft mode.
Alexis Mathieu
