Historic NHL Draft Moment for Simon Wang
In a historic moment for both himself and Chinese hockey, Simon Wang was selected as the first pick of the NHL draft’s second round by the San Jose Sharks, making him the highest-drafted player from China. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-5, the defenseman is brimming with confidence that his place in history will soon be surpassed by future talents from his homeland.
“This is an unreal experience for my family and for hockey in China,”
Wang expressed, elaborating on how significant this achievement is for aspiring young athletes in his country.
Wang’s Journey to the NHL
This monumental selection occurred during the final rounds of the NHL draft, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The draft had begun the previous day, highlighted by the New York Islanders’ decision to pick defenseman Matthew Schaefer as the first overall choice. Wang’s journey began in Beijing, where, at the age of 12, he relocated to Toronto, a significant move that helped him immerse himself in a sport that has steadily gained popularity in China.
Notably, Wang is just the third player born in China to be drafted by the NHL, joining the ranks of Kevin He, who was chosen 109th overall by the Winnipeg Jets last year, and Andong Song, selected 172nd by the Islanders in 2015. Wang hopes his record will eventually be broken, anticipating the day when another player from China might even break into the first round.
Aiming for Greatness
Although he goes by Simon Wang professionally for ease of communication, his birth name is Haoxi Wang. He has a strong ambition to develop into a well-rounded defenseman, aiming to follow the footsteps of NHL greats like Victor Hedman and Colton Parayko. Initially overlooked in terms of draft potential, Wang’s performance escalated last season, making an impact in the Ontario Hockey League with the Oshawa Generals, particularly during their playoff efforts.
Reflecting on his journey, Wang recalled being introduced to hockey as a child but truly becoming invested during a family trip to Los Angeles eight years ago, where he experienced an NHL game live, albeit briefly, as he fell asleep during the match. After witnessing a Bruins-Flames game in Beijing in 2018, he became determined to refine his skills in Canada.
Family Support and Future Aspirations
Last weekend marked a reunion with his family as he shared the excitement of the draft with his mother, who has been instrumental in his career—she even went so far as to purchase his former junior hockey team. The event was also a special occasion as Wang got to reconnect with his brother, who is studying at Boston University; Wang hopes to join him there by 2026, provided his upcoming season in Oshawa goes smoothly.
Draft Highlights and Other News
In related draft news, Saturday brought a flurry of player exchanges, including Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson moving to Detroit, whereas the Los Angeles Kings traded defenseman Jordan Spence to Ottawa in search of more ice time. While attendance of first-round prospects was robust on Friday, the mood shifted slightly on the second day, yet for many, including Alexis Mathieu, drafted 136th overall by the Ducks, the experience remained thrilling. Mathieu, who traveled from Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL, celebrated alongside his family, who infused joy into the days preceding the draft. His excitement peaked when he heard his name announced, walking proudly onto the stage to don the team’s colors.
The draft also featured the selection of 19-year-old Aidan Park as the 223rd pick by the Edmonton Oilers, who gained a round of applause as he took to the stage, capping off an emotional weekend for many aspiring NHL players striving for their dreams.
