Wayne Simmonds (born August 26, 1988) is a Canadian professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...
player for the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...
(NHL). Simmonds has previously played for the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
,
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...
,
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...
,
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...
, and
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
. He is known to his teammates and fans by the nickname "Wayne Train".
[Medina, Mark. (December 9, 2009).]
Kings' Wayne Simmonds steps into contributing role
''Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
''
Early life
Simmonds was born and raised in
Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to:
People
* Scarborough (surname)
* Earl of Scarbrough
Places Australia
* Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth
* Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong
* Scarborough, Queensland, sub ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, the third of four sons, in addition to one daughter, born to Cyril Simmonds and Wanda Mercury-Simmonds.
His family is originally from
North Preston, Nova Scotia
North Preston is a community located in Nova Scotia, Canada within the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The community is populated primarily by Black Nova Scotians. North Preston is the largest Black community in Nova Scotia by population, and ...
. Despite growing up in the
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
area, Simmonds has said he grew up a fan primarily of the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
. His favourite player growing up was
Sergei Fedorov
Sergei Viktorovich Fyodorov (; born December 13, 1969) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player and the current head coach of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). During his playing career, for which he is best known fo ...
.
In third grade Simmonds wrote a report for career day in which he said he wanted to be a pro hockey player. His teacher was discouraging but Simmonds didn't change what he wrote.
Simmonds spent the majority of his minor hockey career playing A and AA hockey in the east end of Toronto, including the Minor Midget Toronto Aces in 2003–04 season of the
Greater Toronto Hockey League
The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), formerly known as the Metro Toronto Hockey League, is a minor level ice hockey organization based in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. The league was founded in 1911 as the Beaches Hockey League by ...
(GTHL). After several GTHL AAA players graduated the following summer to junior hockey, Simmonds moved up to the AAA level for the first time with the
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in the Downsview neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were known as the Wexford Raiders until the end of the 2005–06 season and are a part of Ontario Junior Hockey Lea ...
midgets of the GTHL in 2004–05.
Playing career
Amateur
After Simmonds was scouted at the Telus Cup Regional Midget tournament in the spring of 2005, Mike McCourt noticed him and signed him for the following season with the
Brockville Braves
The Brockville Braves are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Brockville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. Such NHLers as Larry Robinson and current player Wayne Simmonds of the Toronto Maple Leafs, amongst other ...
of the
Central Junior A Hockey League
The Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ...
for the 2005–06 season. McCourt was general manager and coach of the Braves and added Simmonds to his club.
Two years after being passed over in the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overag ...
(OHL) Draft, Simmonds was selected as an 18-year-old by the
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. Based in Owen Sound since 1989, and operating under the current name since 2000, the Attack play their home games at the J.D. M ...
in the sixth round, 114th overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.
Simmonds spent his major junior career playing two seasons in the OHL from 2006 until 2008 with the
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. Based in Owen Sound since 1989, and operating under the current name since 2000, the Attack play their home games at the J.D. M ...
and
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (often shortened to Soo Greyhounds) are a Junior ice hockey#Major junior, major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the GFL Memorial Gardens. The present team was ...
. He also played for
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
at the
2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred to as the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (2008 WJHC), was the 32nd edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship. The Elite group, what the IIHF refer to as the Top Divisio ...
.
While playing with the Jr. Canadiens, Simmonds became friends with
Chris Stewart. The two would later purchase a house together in Toronto, where they lived during the off-season.
Professional
Los Angeles Kings
![WayneSimmonds](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/WayneSimmonds.jpg)
A right-handed shooter, Simmonds was drafted by the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
in the second round, 61st overall, of the
2007 NHL Entry Draft
The 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007. The draft ...
.
He was one of three rookies to make the team's roster for its
2008–09 season. On October 14, 2008, in his third career game, Simmonds scored his first career NHL goal by knocking a
rebound past
Jean-Sébastien Giguère
Jean-Sébastien Giguère (; born May 16, 1977) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He played with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he was drafted 13th overall by the Hartford Wh ...
of the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division, and play their home games at Honda Center.
...
.
During his rookie season, Simmonds became a favourite among L.A. fans for his strong work ethic on and off the ice,
a trait he has said was instilled within him by his parents.
Entering his second NHL season, Simmonds was looking to increase his offensive production, having tied for the Kings' goal-scoring lead in pre-season play that year.
[ Elloitt, Helene. (October 2, 2009).]
Wayne Simmonds is reaching his goals
''Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' He ultimately scored 40
points
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
in the
2009–10 regular season, nearly doubling his point total of the previous season. Additionally, he led the team in
plus-minus and saw substantive time as a member of the team's penalty killing unit. When the Kings unsuccessfully pursued a trade for superstar left wing
Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk (russian: Илья Валерьевич Ковальчук; born 15 April 1983) is a Russian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montrea ...
, then of the
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 seaso ...
, shortly before that season's
All-Star break, Simmonds was among the Kings' players whom Atlanta wanted in return.
Philadelphia Flyers
On June 23, 2011, Simmonds was traded to the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...
(along with
Brayden Schenn
Brayden Michael Schenn (; born August 22, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings fifth overall in the 2009 ...
and a second-round pick in the
2012 NHL Entry Draft
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft was the 50th NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held June 22–23, 2012, at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first time that Pittsburgh hosted the draft since the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The top th ...
) in exchange for
Mike Richards Michael Richards (born 1949) is an American actor best known for playing Cosmo Kramer in ''Seinfeld''.
Michael Richards or Mike Richards may also refer to the following people:
Arts and entertainment
*Mike Richards (television personality) (born ...
and
Rob Bordson
Rob Bordson (born June 9, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing under contract with the Stavanger Oilers in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
Playing career
Bordson signed a two-year entry level contract with t ...
. As a restricted free agent, he signed a two-year contract with an average salary of $1.75 million.
![Wayne Simmonds 2011-12-29](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Wayne_Simmonds_2011-12-29.JPG)
On September 22, 2011, during a pre-season game in
London, Ontario
London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximate ...
, between the Detroit Red Wings and the Flyers, a banana was thrown onto the ice while Simmonds was making a
shootout
A shootout, also called a firefight or gunfight, is a fight between armed combatants using firearms. The term can be used to describe any such fight, though it is typically used to describe those that do not involve military forces or only invo ...
attempt. This was seen as an act of
racism
Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism ...
. The following day,
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman (born June 2, 1952) is an American sports executive who serves as the commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL), a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice president and general cou ...
released a statement regarding the events of the previous day. "We have millions of great fans who show tremendous respect for our players and for the game," said Bettman in the statement, "the obviously stupid and ignorant action by one individual is in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario." Chris Moorhouse later pleaded guilty to engaging in a prohibited activity under the Ontario ''Trespass to Property Act'' and was fined $200, but did not need to appear in court.
Simmonds achieved a
Gordie Howe hat-trick in a 5–2 loss to the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...
at the
Wells Fargo Center Wells Fargo Center may refer to:
*Wells Fargo Center (Los Angeles), California
*Wells Fargo Center (Sacramento), California
* Wells Fargo Center (San Francisco), California
* Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, California
* Wells Fargo Cen ...
on February 11, 2012. On March 30, 2012, against the
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...
, Flyers center Brayden Schenn shot a puck which glanced off of Simmonds' forehead and into the net. Simmonds was credited with the goal.
On August 15, 2012, the Flyers signed Simmonds to a six-year extension worth an annual average value of approximately $4 million.
During the
2012–13 NHL lockout
The 2012–13 NHL lockout was a labor dispute between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) that began at 11:59 pm EDT on September 15, 2012. A tentative deal on a new collective barga ...
, Simmonds was playing with
ETC Crimmitschau
ETC Crimmitschau, also known as Eispiraten Crimmitschau, is an ice hockey team in Crimmitschau, Germany. They currently play in DEL2
DEL2 (also known as DEL II) is the second tier ice hockey league in Germany, below the '' Deutsche Eishockey L ...
of the
2nd Bundesliga and
HC Bílí Tygři Liberec
Bílí Tygři Liberec (English: ''Liberec White Tigers'') are a professional ice hockey club based in Liberec, Czech Republic. The team competes in the Czech Extraliga, the highest level of play in professional Czech ice hockey.
History
The firs ...
of the
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga ( cs, Extraliga ledního hokeje, ELH) is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. It was created by the 1993 split of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League following the breakup of Czechoslovakia. The leag ...
. In a game between Liberec and
Piráti Chomutov
Piráti Chomutov is a Czech ice hockey team from Chomutov, Czech Republic. Established as ČSK Chomutov in 1945, the team has played in Chomutov through numerous team name changes and elevations/relegations in the Czechoslovak and Czech hockey l ...
in the Czech Extraliga, fans began a chant of "''opice''", a term which roughly translates to "monkey", towards Simmonds, after his involvement in a fight. Shortly after the game, Chomutov issued an apology to Simmonds and also announced the intent to identify the people involved and ban them from the venue. Eight of the offending fans were later identified and tried before a court. As a punishment, they were banned from visiting any sports matches for a year.
On February 20, 2013, Simmonds recorded another Gordie Howe hat-trick in a 6–5 win against the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...
at the
Consol Energy Center
PPG Paints Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Pittsburgh, that serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). It previously was the home of the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League (2010), Aren ...
when he scored a goal and an assist and fought
Tanner Glass
Tanner Glass (born November 29, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Known as a physical player, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins ...
. Later that same week, on February 23, Simmonds recorded another Gordie Howe hat-trick in a 5–3 home win against the
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and is owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, pl ...
, fighting
Chris Thorburn
Chris Thorburn (born June 3, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played over 800 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Thorburn was known for his physical play and capabilities as a fighter.
Early life
Thorbu ...
, assisting on the Flyers' first goal and scoring the game-winning goal.
Simmonds recorded 29 goals to go with 31 assists for a career high 60 points during the
2013–14 season. He later matched this career-high during the
2015–16 season. Simmonds has also gained a reputation for his physical play, leading the Flyers in penalty minutes in 2015–16 with 147. During a February 6 game against the New York Rangers, Simmonds received a game misconduct for punching Rangers' captain
Ryan McDonagh
Ryan Patrick McDonagh (born June 13, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in 2007, he play ...
with a gloved hand, but was not suspended by the league.
Simmonds represented Philadelphia in the
2017 NHL All-Star Game
The 2017 National Hockey League All-Star Game was held at Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Los Angeles Kings on January 29, 2017 at 12:30pm PT. This was the third time that Los Angeles hosted the NHL All-Star Game and the first time si ...
and was named the Game's MVP after scoring three goals, including the game-winner of the final game.
During the entire
2017–18 season, Simmonds played with a tear in his pelvis area, torn groin, fractured ankle, torn thumb ligament, and a busted jaw. Despite this long list of injuries, Simmonds was still able to break the 40-point mark on the season. He was nominated for the
Mark Messier Leadership Award
The Mark Messier Leadership Award is a National Hockey League (NHL) award that recognizes an individual as a superior leader within their sport, and as a contributing member of society. The award is given to a player selected by Hockey Hall of Fa ...
at the end of the season.
Nashville Predators
On February 25, 2019, the Flyers traded Simmonds to the
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...
in exchange for forward
Ryan Hartman
Ryan Hartman (born September 20, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hartman was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (30th overall) of the 2013 NHL En ...
, as well as a conditional fourth-round selection in the
2020 NHL Entry Draft
The 2020 NHL Entry Draft was the 58th NHL Entry Draft, held from October 6–7, 2020. The draft was originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, but was postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pan ...
. He was part of a larger series of trade deadline moves that Nashville made in order to increase their presence on the power play, as well as their overall physicality, both of which had been struggles for the team during the 2018–19 season. Simmonds joined the Predators with a 16-game goalless drought, which carried over to another eight games in Nashville before he scored in a 3–0 victory over the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
on March 20. After putting up one goal and two assists in 17 regular-season games with Nashville, Simmonds joined the Predators at the
2019 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on April 10, 2019, after the 2018–19 regular season, and concluded on June 12, 2019, with the St. Louis Blues winning their first ...
. He left Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...
after being hit in the knee with a
slapshot
A slapshot (also spelled as slap shot) in ice hockey is a powerful shot. Its advantage is as a high-speed shot that can be taken from long distance; the disadvantage is the time to set it up as well as its low accuracy.
It has four stages whi ...
from teammate
Roman Josi
Roman Josi (born 1 June 1990) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Josi was drafted 38th overall by the Predators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
In 2019–20, J ...
, and was considered week-to-week. Dallas won the series in six games, eliminating Nashville. Between Philadelphia and Nashville, Simmonds put up 17 goals and 30 points in 79 games, and he was the NHL's 2019 recipient of the
Mark Messier Leadership Award
The Mark Messier Leadership Award is a National Hockey League (NHL) award that recognizes an individual as a superior leader within their sport, and as a contributing member of society. The award is given to a player selected by Hockey Hall of Fa ...
, given to a community leader both on and off the ice.
New Jersey Devils
On July 1, 2019, the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...
signed Simmonds as a free agent on a one-year, $5 million contract. Simmonds faced his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, for the first time on October 9, 2019, where he was given a tribute video and an ovation by Flyers fans. However, soon after, he was booed each time he touched the puck during the game due to a viral video of him stating he would expect nothing else from Philadelphia. The Flyers defeated the Devils 4–0 in the end. Through 61 games with the Devils, Simmonds contributed with 8 goals and 24 points.
Buffalo Sabres
With the Devils mathematically eliminated from contention in the
2020 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on August 1, 2020, and concluded on September 28, 2020, with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning their second Stanley Cup in franchise ...
by the February 24 trade deadline, Simmonds was traded to the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
in exchange for a conditional fifth-round selection in the
2021 NHL Entry Draft
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft was the 59th NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held on July 23–24, 2021, delayed by one month from its normally scheduled time of June due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the later-than-normal finish of the 2020–21 NHL se ...
. He played only seven games with Buffalo before the season was suspended indefinitely due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
on March 12. In that time, Simmonds recorded only one assist and held a −4 plus-minus rating. When the NHL announced its Return to Play program for the
2020 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on August 1, 2020, and concluded on September 28, 2020, with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning their second Stanley Cup in franchise ...
, the Sabres were one of seven teams not invited to participate.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Although he maintained interest in staying with Buffalo, Simmonds was allowed to court offers from other NHL teams prior to the opening of the free agent market on October 9, 2020. When the market opened, Simmonds signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
. Simmonds signed with the team only minutes after the market opened, and he had rejected a higher offer from the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...
in order to play for his hometown team. He had a productive beginning to the
2020–21 season, scoring five goals in his first 12 games while serving on the second line with
John Tavares
John Tavares (born September 20, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft ...
and
William Nylander
William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius (born 1 May 1996) is a Canadian-born Swedish professional ice hockey right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nylander was selected by the Maple Leafs in the ...
. This offensive production came to a halt on February 6, when he suffered a fractured wrist in a game against the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...
. Simmonds began skating with the team again in March, but was hesitant to return to the lineup, afraid that he would aggravate the injury. After missing 18 games, Simmonds returned from the injured reserve on March 19, skating in a 4–3 loss to the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...
. He began playing on a bottom-six line alongside
Pierre Engvall
Pierre Engvall (born 31 May 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Engvall was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2014 NHL Ent ...
and
Ilya Mikheyev
Ilya Andreyevich Mikheyev (russian: Илья Андреевич Михеев) (born 10 October 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career
Mikheyev started ...
and scored his first post-injury goal on April 6. Simmonds' offensive power did not return after his injury, and the winger scored only one goal in his last 14 regular-season games. Toronto, meanwhile, advanced to the
2021 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on May 15, 2021, and concluded on July 7, 2021, with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning their second consecutive and third overall St ...
and built a 3–1 series lead over Montreal before losing three games straight and dropping the series 4–3.
An impending free agent, Simmonds signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension with Toronto on June 29, 2021.
On March 5, 2022, Simmonds played his
1,000th NHL game, on the same day as
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and began play during the league's 2021–22 season. ...
defenseman
Mark Giordano
Mark Giordano (; born October 3, 1983) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also previously played with the Calgary Flames for fifteen seasons, where he was the tea ...
’s own 1,000th game, who would become his teammate several days later. On May 4, 2022, Simmonds was chosen as the Maple Leafs' nominee for the
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is a sports award given annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. The ...
for his leadership qualities on and off the ice.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
Awards and honors
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmonds, Wayne
1988 births
Black Canadian ice hockey players
Buffalo Sabres players
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Germany
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Canadian ice hockey right wingers
Canadian people of Black Nova Scotian descent
ETC Crimmitschau players
HC Bílí Tygři Liberec players
Ice hockey people from Ontario
Living people
Los Angeles Kings draft picks
Los Angeles Kings players
Nashville Predators players
National Hockey League All-Stars
New Jersey Devils players
Owen Sound Attack players
Philadelphia Flyers players
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds players
Sportspeople from Scarborough, Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs players