Listening to Shawn “Simmer” Simpson on the radio for NHL fans across the USA and Canada was an experience. The 1986 draft pick goalie of the Washington Capitals, Simpson was an integral part of the community whose presence went beyond the thresholds of ice hockey and radio. Shawn began playing ice hockey fairly early and went on to achieve some of the most coveted feats of the sport including bagging gold at the U20 World Junior Championships. But as they say, the good people seldom stay with us for too long.

The official Washington Capitals social media account took to X on January 30 to note the heartbreak of losing one of their own. “The Washington Capitals are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Shawn Simpson…We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Shawn’s family, friends and colleagues,” reads the social media update. The post shared the original update by the Ottawa Senators, which thanked Simpson for his extensive involvement in the city’s community. While the reason why Shawn was snatched away from his fans and close ones is not clear at the moment, the former Capitals and Maple Leafs scout struggled with mental health issues.  But that doesn’t mean that he didn’t have a rich life, as his contributions and achievements still stand strong in the world of hockey and beyond.

Shawn didn’t play in any actual NHL matches during his tenure, and his career with the Capitals’ affiliate AHL team Baltimore Skipjacks only lasted three seasons, during which he appeared in 35 games. But his involvement in the sport went beyond the ice rink. Despite his rather short career as a player, he still nurtured a critical eye that was hardly ever wrong. His former morning show co-host and TSN1200 program director Rodenburg recalled how Shawn would build an opinion almost instantly after watching a junior player or a Senators call-up. “He’d come on the radio the next day and talk about him, like, ‘I don’t think this guy’s any good, or he’s not gonna make it or whatever’ and he’d be some hot shot prospect,” recalled Rodenburg. And guess what? He would be right almost every time.

Moreover, having constantly fought mental health battles at various stages of his life, Shawn made sure that people like him knew they were not alone.  John Rodenburg recalled how the Bell Let’s Talk Day shows where he spoke and heard about mental health struggles will be Shawn’s greatest contribution to radio: “It was because he really spoke from his heart because he’s lived it. We would hear from a ton of people, and I think that his legacy, at least that part of it, will be the amount of people that he helped, both those that we heard from, which was quite a few, but also the vast majority of people you’d never hear from.”

Justifiably, NHL fans were feeling miserable to learn about Shawn’s passing. “He will be deeply missed,” commented one fan who possibly couldn’t seem to forget how incredible it was to listen to Simpson as a TSN1200 broadcaster on the morning show. The fan also noted how the thought of being unable to listen to Shaw in the mornings would make them “sad beyond belief.” Others also felt the same.

The NHL community hails the life and legacy of Shawn Simpson

“RIP Simmer. I’m so sorry to hear this,” commented another fan under the Senators’ OG post on X. While Simpson’s NHL career wasn’t something to establish him as one of the greatest NHL stars of history, his involvement in the sport made him a loved figure among the fans nonetheless. Naturally, this fan, like many others, now feels a hollow that has been left behind the Ottawa resident that will be hard to fill. “That’s sad news man, Simmer was good vibes,” another fan also sympathized.

In the world of elite sports, mental health is often a topic that’s brushed under the rug. From gymnastics to Olympic swimming, mental troubles can make their presence felt, despite widespread discussion about the same. Olympic gold medalist artistic gymnasts Aly Raisman and Simone Biles have used their voices and platforms to bring more attention to the issue. Remembering Shawn’s struggles and perhaps his openness about them, one fan wrote, “It’s Okay to not be Okay. We miss you, Simmer,” one fan hoped their humble cheer would find Simpson in the afterlife and provide some consolation.

“Simmer was an absolute beauty. We’ll miss him,” one NHL fan lamented. Coincidentally, the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators are slated to lock horns at the Canadian Tire Center tonight, and fans in his hometown believe a win would be the best gift for Shawn’s kin in these troubled times. “Let’s get a win for him tonight,” one fan urged the Ottawa players to do their part.

Do you have any special memories of Shawn Simpson too? Share them with us in a comment!