Draft pick Simon Wang joins Sharks at 33rd spot, marking a record as the highest-drafted athlete hailing from China.
Fresh Take:
Son of Beijing, now shining in San Jose: That's the story of Simon Wang, who became the highest Chinese-drafted player ever in the NHL. The hulking defenseman was snatched up by the Sharks with the 33rd overall pick in this year's draft.
Once a 12-year-old refugee from China's capital, Wang settled in Toronto and has been developing his game in the Canadian junior leagues. His rapid improvement caught the eye of the Sharks' scouts, securing him a spot amongst the elite players of the draft.
"This feels unreal," Wang beamed, "It's a dream come true! I hope I've inspired a new batch of little pucks from China."
Known as Wang Haoxi in China, he plans to keep it simple in the North American leagues by going by Simon. He's not alone; Kevin He and Andong Song were also drafted, with Kevin He being picked last year by the Jets and Andong Song by the Islanders back in 2015.
"I hope I cracked the door open a little wider," Wang shared, "Hopefully one day a Chinese player will break my record and get drafted even higher."
From the Enrichment:
The rise of Chinese-born players in the NHL is a beacon of hope for enhanced representation from China. Simon Wang, as the highest-drafted Chinese-born player ever, spearheads this groundbreaking progress in the professional hockey scene.
Draft Advisory:Wang's draft position, standing at 33rd overall, eclipses earlier Chinese-born draftees like Andong Song (172nd overall in 2015) and Kevin He (109th overall in 2024). This suggests an increasing acknowledgement of Chinese talent and potential in the NHL draft landscape.
China's Hockey Pioneers:Simon Wang follows in the steps of Andong Song, drafted in 2015, and Kevin He, selected last year, although they were both picked in later rounds. Their drafting marks the gradual but steady rise of Chinese talent in the NHL.
Strides and Aspirations:Wang aspires to inspire a new generation of Chinese-born hockey players and to contribute to the ongoing growth of hockey in China. He aims to leverage his North American training and experience to cultivate young players and solidify China's position in the world of professional hockey.
In the NHL, Simon Wang's impressive 33rd overall draft position surpasses previous Chinese-born players like Andong Song (172nd overall in 2015) and Kevin He (109th overall in 2024), symbolizing an expanding recognition of Chinese talent within the league. As the highest-drafted Chinese player ever, Wang's success continues to pave the way for more Chinese representation in sports, particularly in hockey.
