Saturday Showcase: Michael Simpson

As the OHL prepares for the 2020-21 season, the Petes are showcasing how our players are handling the pandemic and maintaining their skills throughout quarantine. This instalment of ‘Saturday Showcase’ features goaltender, Michael Simpson.

 Simpson was selected in the 10th round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, making his childhood dreams come true. Since moving to Peterborough and playing with the Peterborough AAA U18 Minor Petes last season, Simpson has continued to work hard to make his OHL debut. Simpson recently sat down with us and provided insight into his first year in Peterborough and hopes for the future.

Blaind: Who is your biggest hockey influence?

Simpson: Carey Price is someone that I’ve always looked up to and who I’ve tried to model my game after. He has always been successful in his career. Lately, my eye has been drawn to Mackenzie Blackwood because I like the way that he plays and moves in the net. I’ve been trying to simulate his style into my own.

Blaind: What was your reaction to getting drafted to the OHL?

Simpson: It was a dream come true and a big relief. I have always worked really hard through my entire minor hockey career to get to the OHL. Being from London, where it is a big OHL hockey city, it was exciting to get my foot in the door with a team.

Our first goalie of the 2019 #OHLDraft? Michael Simpson of the @LJKMinorHockey! Welcome to #ptbo! pic.twitter.com/HQH9Ty1Szs

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) April 6, 2019

Blaind: How has was your experience training and practicing with the Petes?

Simpson: It was great. The team was really high in the standings so it was cool being around some NHL talent like Nick Robertson, Akil Thomas, and Hunter Jones. You got to see how they went about their day and how they prepared for practices and games. I’ve tried to take as much as I could from them. 

Blaind: Who were you closest to on the team that made it easier for your transition to Peterborough?

Simpson: Tye Austin was one that really reached out and was welcoming to me. Coming in as a young kid it’s nerve-racking, you don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. It was nice to have someone that I could lean on.

Blaind: Being back home and in school, are there any courses that you are taking right now that you have been enjoying?

Simpson: I just finished a law course and I’ve always been interested in that but I think that I want to get into Sport Management. Even if hockey doesn’t work out, I want to be around the sport as much as I can.

 

 

Blaind: What are you looking forward to when you get the chance to play in your first OHL game?

Simpson: It will obviously be nice to get a win because no one likes to lose. I want to do well and prove to myself that I can play in the OHL and believe that. Also, I want to show that it wasn’t just luck why I am there. 

Blaind: You played with the Peterborough AAA U18 Minor Petes last season, how did that experience help you grow as a player?

Simpson: I think it was big for me because it helped me to build up my confidence and allowed me to get into as many games as I could. We had a good team and everyone was really close. I got to grow close with Josh Kavanagh and Cole Patey which was nice because now when I come back, I will have those guys in my corner and for support.

Blaind: How did you feel when the season got cancelled?

Simpson: It was really frustrating because we had just clinched for the playoffs. We were on a roll and looking good going into the playoffs. I wanted to try to get into my first OHL game once the Petes had also clinched. Everyone loves hockey and has played since they were little so getting it taken away was frustrating.

Blaind: What have you been doing to be ready for when the season starts?

Simpson: I have mainly just been working out. In the winter, I played a lot of pond hockey. I’ve been trying to be the best goaltender I can be. I have also been focusing on getting leaner, faster and stronger because I think it will help me for the next season and help to win a championship with the Petes.

Blaind: Do you have any goals set for yourself?

Simpson: Going into my first season I’d like to have a record above .500. If you’re winning in the net it will help to translate through the team and move up the standings. Being able to say that I gave it my all and be happy with how I played will be the main goal for me.

Blaind: Do you have one piece of advice for someone who is looking to get drafted and start their hockey career?

Simpson: I’d say to keep that chip on your shoulder and keep your head down and keep putting in the work. Getting drafted you feel like you are on top of the world so you need to keep working to get better because you are playing with older guys who are faster and stronger. 

Being in the Petes minor system for a year, Simpson is ready to show that he is capable of playing in the OHL and his teammates can depend on him between the pipes. Simpson is ready to return to Peterborough, put on a maroon and white jersey, and reunite with his teammates.

Want to hear more about Simpson’s teammate Liam Kirk? Click here to see how his transition went from England to Peterborough.