LONDON, Ont. – Not every player gets the opportunity to play junior hockey for their hometown team, but that is not the case for London Knights goaltender Michael Simpson.
Simpson, who attended Pittsburgh Penguins training camp in the summer, was born in London, but raised in St. Thomas, a small town just outside the city.
In late September, just before his final Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season began, Simpson was traded to the Knights, a team he always wanted to play for.
“Coming to a bunch of Knights games growing up always made me think that I was going to be a London Knight,” said the overage netminder. “I think coming back here, that dream is finally fulfilled for me. It’s been super fun, it’s a great place to play, and playing in front of 9,000 fans every Friday is a pretty cool experience.”
A few months before Simpson became a Knight, he backstopped the Peterborough Petes to an OHL Championship in the 2022-23 season and was named playoffs MVP.
“It’s tough, and it was a grind,” the 6-foot-1 goalie said at Budweiser Gardens after practice. “It was also the most fun time of my life. “You’re playing hockey, your team is doing well, and you’re winning. It was meaningful hockey and a fun experience.”
Aside from being on the ice so often, Simpson believes that giving back to the community he grew up in is important. One of the things he does is visit the Children’s Hospital.
“I think it’s a big part,” Simpson noted. “Again, we have 9,000 people here every Friday night, and they’re paying their hard-earned money to come watch us play. I think the least we can do is give back to them in any way we can, and the Children’s Hospital is great for us to try and brighten up a kid’s day to give them a break from what’s going on. Every time I go, I always leave feeling appreciative for what I have in my life.”
After this season, Simpson will evaluate all his options but hopes to sign a pro contract.