Coconuts Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 https://www.tsn.ca/bruising-forward-wayne-simmonds-calls-time-on-nhl-career-i-m-done-1.2068186#:~:text="I haven't officially announced,I had a great career After 15 hard-nosed NHL seasons where he filled the net and threw plenty of fists, Wayne Simmonds has called time on his playing career. The 35-year-old spoke to The Canadian Press on Friday ahead of the Hockey Diversity Alliance's first-ever WinterFest event scheduled for Feb. 3 in Toronto. With three kids under the age of five — his wife, Crystal, gave birth to the couple's first son two months ago — he has a lot on his plate. Getting one more NHL shot isn't among the long list of priorities. "I haven't officially announced my retirement, but I'm done," said Simmonds, who played his final three seasons with the Maple Leafs. "I had a great career. It was the best time I've ever had in my life. "Right now, it's family time." Simmonds put up 263 goals, 526 points and 1,313 penalty minutes in 1,037 games with six teams. He added 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) and 122 penalty minutes in 53 playoff appearances. The Toronto native played his first three years with the Los Angeles Kings after being selected in the second round of the 2007 NHL draft, but made his mark over eight seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. One of the league's premier power forwards during that era, Simmonds scored 28 or more goals five times, including a career-high 32 in 2015-16. Never afraid to drop the gloves, the bruising winger also had a career-high 147 penalty minutes that season. Simmonds went on to have short stints with Nashville, Buffalo and New Jersey before signing in Toronto ahead of the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign. "Nice to be able to play at home," he said. "It was nice to be able to have my two little girls watch me play. They're from Toronto, they're born in Toronto, they're gonna be raised in Toronto." Simmonds, however, wishes things had turned out differently on the ice. He played 72 times in 2021-22, but suited up for just 18 games last season in a trying year that included getting placed on waivers. "From the playing aspect, it wasn't what I hoped," said Simmonds, who registered 27 points and 190 penalty minutes in 128 contests with Toronto. "At the same time, I'm still grateful to the organization for allowing me to put on the Maple Leaf. "That's an iconic jersey. It's something that I'll never forget." The HDA, which is not affiliated with the NHL, is holding WinterFest at Toronto's Trinity Bellwoods on Feb. 3 to highlight "the importance of diversity and inclusion in hockey." Set to coincide with the league's all-star festivities in the city, the event is slated to include a celebrity hockey game, youth competitions and a skills showcase. "It's gonna be something special," said Simmonds, a founding HDA member. "We want to showcase what we've been able to do the last three years. We want to show the unconventional ways that we've been able to reach the communities that we've reached." Looking back on what would turn out to be his final NHL season, Simmonds said he feels for Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves, who signed a three-year contract in the summer but has been used sparingly. "You want nothing more than to play well and help the guys out," he said. "If you're not doing that, you feel kind of lost. (Reaves) had a little bit of a tough time at the beginning of the season, but I don't think he got too many opportunities to actually be able to do what he can do. "That's just me knowing how it happened for me. Feel like it's going much the same for him." Simmonds, however, still looks back on his time with the Leafs fondly. While he didn't suit up in last spring's playoffs, he was at Amalie Arena when John Tavares scored the overtime winner in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning to clinch Toronto's first series victory since 2004. The veteran forward skipped down the hall in front of reporters on the way to celebrate with his teammates that night. "To be there with the guys in the dressing room and feel what they're feeling — the pressure — and finally being able to get past the first round, it's pretty special," Simmonds said. "Incumbent upon them to get a little bit further every year and win a Stanley Cup. "Or else winning one round is not going to mean much." 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 A textbook power forward career. 1000+ games played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Solid career. Was a fringe top line player in his prime. Scored 30+ goals twice and also scored 29 and 28 goals at different times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 lolwut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lock Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Coconuts said: lolwut Gotta love media who decide to announce a players' retirement for them rather than the player himself. I feel for Simmonds on this to be honest. He should have control over when he actually says he's retiring. Edited January 26 by The Lock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 5 minutes ago, The Lock said: Gotta love media who decide to announce a players' retirement for them rather than the player himself. I feel for Simmonds on this to be honest. He should have control over when he actually says he's retiring. Can't trust the media not to try and break a story though, if he actually said he's done he's in a bit of a tough spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lock Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 1 minute ago, Coconuts said: Can't trust the media not to try and break a story though, if he actually said he's done he's in a bit of a tough spot I guess the real question is whether he actually said what he said or did the person reporting embellish things a bit? Or, what was the question actually asked of him? Perhaps he was just done looking for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 (edited) On 1/26/2024 at 3:48 PM, The Lock said: I guess the real question is whether he actually said what he said or did the person reporting embellish things a bit? Or, what was the question actually asked of him? Perhaps he was just done looking for the season. It's a good question, I'm wondering if more doesn't come out Edited January 29 by Coconuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKSR Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 16 hours ago, The Lock said: I guess the real question is whether he actually said what he said or did the person reporting embellish things a bit? Or, what was the question actually asked of him? Perhaps he was just done looking for the season. Media embellishing? That NEVER happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Biestra Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 1000 games, 250 goals...hell of a career by pretty much any standard. Rock solid player in the mold of guys like Dirk Graham and Tony McKegney before him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 I was under the impression he'd already retired, but it's official now https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/wayne-simmonds-announces-his-retirement-from-the-national-hockey-league 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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