SPOTLIGHT: Simon Motew
“I want to thrive in my role and I’ve learned what it takes to become a leader in this organization. Being surrounded by such great people, it’s made me a better person and player. Anything else I can do that can elevate this team to the next level, I’m willing to do.”
Rangers defenseman Simon Motew is playing in his fourth season as a Blueshirt and has continually elevated his game in each of his first three seasons with the team. Coming off of a career year tallying 29 points in 57 games, Motew is eager to sustain the upward trend in the 2023-24 campaign.
Growing up in Highland Park, Illinois, Motew is the youngest of five siblings who share a passion for the beloved sport of hockey. Being surrounded by hockey fans alike, Motew and his siblings grew up in the suburb of Chicago supporting the Blackhawks as he tied up his skates for the first time at the age of three. Motew credits his father for entertaining the idea of taking to the ice, originally as a goaltender, but that quickly changed when he saw his craftsmanship abilities on both sides of the ice as a defenseman.
“I am the youngest of five so all my siblings played. Once I turned three I got the skates on and I started right from there. My dad was the one who got me into hockey. Thankfully he has supported me throughout my entire career. I have a dad and best friend in one so he’s helped me a lot.”
As a Blackhawks fan growing up, Motew was fortunate enough to see his team win three Stanley Cups in six seasons, and more specifically, he saw his favourite player Duncan Keith win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015. Vintage Keith is a player that Motew “always watched and admired growing up” and has modelled his two-way play after. Getting it done on both sides of the ice has always been a priority for Motew as he has aspired to be a modern-day Keith and worked to add attributes to his game from the likes of Devon Toews and Cale Makar as well.
Born and raised in the United States, his path to the OHL was similar to the many kids who grew up in Canada. What he noted was different, was the difference in playstyle, passion, and love for the game of hockey in Canada compared to the United States.
“Canada is more into it for sure. The States have Basketball, Football, etc. Canada, you can really see the fans love their hockey here, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Motew grew up playing for the Chicago Mission AAA team where they established themselves as competitive for numerous years. During his U14 season, he “had double hip surgery and shoulder surgery” leading him to miss a year and a half of hockey, which was “not fun”. When entering his U15 year, Motew had his eyes set on the OHL given that it was time to prepare for his draft year. Like many others in the same position, Motew had begun the process of talking to several teams.
As he was not as familiar with the Canadian side of the OHL, one team that stood out to him was the Kitchener Rangers. Likewise, the Rangers took notice of Motew and had a desire to select him in the fourth round with the 75th pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.
“Like a lot of others, I was lucky enough to be drafted by Kitchener and I signed right away. I’ve noticed in the first three years the way I’ve been treated. You are not getting treated as well as you are here at many other OHL organizations. Players don’t really realize how fortunate they actually are.”
The strides Motew has made in his OHL career are exactly what was predicted to be seen by General Manager Mike McKenzie. The continuous improvement in his game has given him opportunities to perform on the highest stages of the sport, even taking part in the Washington Capitals rookie camp last season and time with the Ottawa Senators this past summer for the Prospects Challenge.
For any player aspiring to be among the best of the best game in and game out, this experience is as beneficial as it comes.
“I learned what it takes to be a pro. Going to main camps and seeing guys like John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin, just seeing what they do on a daily basis. I’m trying to carry as much as I can over to my play in the OHL. As for Ottawa, it was great to play some games with other prospects and I had some teammates there so I didn’t feel like an outcast. It was good.”
Motew spent the offseason working on his strength where he added “at least ten pounds” of muscle with other priorities lying in number one, playing golf, and number two, playing card games”.
As the Rangers represent themselves as a young team with a fresh start, they have not taken a step back by any means, as Motew and the Blueshirts pride themselves on being a good team. Currently holding a 9-3 record, they want to continue to forge ahead with the momentum and take the league by storm.
“We lost a lot of key players, especially our captain, but guys are stepping up who haven’t really had much playing time in the past, it’s going to be huge for us. The young guys feeling comfortable is going to help a lot in the long haul. We’re coming baby, we’re coming!”
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Written by Evan Doerfler
