Wang’s journey from Beijing to Canada units him to turn out to be third Chinese language-born participant picked in NHL draft

They resembled superheroes with sticks, uniforms and bulging pads, their faces hidden behind helmeted cages. This was earlier than the 2022 Beijing Winter Video games, when hockey was a distinct segment sport in China and the NHL a mere pipe dream.

“It was undoubtedly the gear,” the 6-foot-5, 215-pound — and nonetheless rising — defenseman who goes by Simon recalled on the NHL pre-draft scouting mix in Buffalo earlier this month.

“One thing simply clicked inside me, and I simply fell in love with the sport,” Wang added. “Instantly, I informed my mother I must get on the market as quickly as potential. And I in all probability went on the ice the following day or so.”

This marked the beginning of a journey that noticed a 12-year-old Wang transfer to Toronto and work his means up the junior ranks to play for the OHL Oshawa Generals. At 17, he’s thought-about a candidate to be an early to mid-round choose within the NHL draft in Los Angeles this weekend.

“I feel this can be a dream come true second for me,” mentioned Wang, ranked thirty fourth on NHL Central Scouting’s record of North American skaters. “If I informed myself 4, 5 years in the past that I’ll be right here, the NHL mix, I’d in all probability inform myself I’m dreaming.”

He’s not.

Based mostly on Wang’s dimension and skating capacity, there’s more likely to be much more pinch-me moments forward for somebody in place to turn out to be simply the third Chinese language-born participant — and doubtlessly highest — chosen within the NHL draft.

Andong Tune, chosen 172nd general by the New York Islanders in 2015, was the primary Chinese language-born participant drafted. Tune by no means performed professionally following two seasons with the USHL’s Madison Capitols.

Then there’s Kevin He, additionally from Beijing, who’s on path to enjoying within the NHL. Drafted 109th by Winnipeg final 12 months, He signed a three-year entry stage contract with the Jets in December.

Kevin He had the benefit of enjoying organized hockey at 6 when his household moved to Montreal. By comparability, Wang’s true introduction to the game competitively got here along with his arrival in Toronto on the urging of a pal who made the transfer earlier to pursue hockey.

It was a tradition shock for Wang, who left his household behind and could not converse English.

“I feel braveness can be the phrase, I’d describe it,” Oshawa basic supervisor Roger Hunt mentioned. “The one language he knew was hockey. And he needed to play. And he had the imaginative and prescient at that age to say, ‘Hey, if I need to do that, I higher go there.’”

Wang proved to be a fast examine. Although uncooked, his capacity nearly instantly caught everybody’s consideration.

The one query for Hunt in choosing Wang within the fifth spherical of the 2023 OHL 16-year-old draft was his eligibility in having already dedicated to Boston College. The NCAA beforehand barred CHL gamers from competing on the school ranks earlier than eliminating its rule in November.

Wang made his debut with Oshawa in December. Although he completed with a modest 5 assists in 53 video games on a workforce that misplaced to London within the OHL finals, Wang didn’t look misplaced.

“I don’t suppose anyone would have went into that area and mentioned, ‘Hey, this child’s solely performed hockey 5 years,’” Hunt mentioned. “He’s acquired such good toes, he skates so properly, his edges, every part.”

Subsequent 12 months, Hunt initiatives Wang to tackle a bigger position as Oshawa’s high defenseman. Wang is forward of schedule, partly because of the NCAA rule change.

The preliminary plan final season, his agent John Walters mentioned, was to have Wang keep within the OJHL, the place he was already displaying indicators of dominating with 4 targets and 22 factors in 38 video games.

Walters mentioned it was at Wang’s urging to make the bounce to OHL to spur his improvement towards higher competitors.

“I had a few NHL groups saying, ‘It is best to have left him in junior, as a result of there would have been that wonderment about him.’ And I mentioned, ‘However that wouldn’t have made him higher,’” Walters mentioned. “Simon doesn’t care whether or not he goes within the first, second or third spherical. He needs to get higher. He wanted to go problem himself.”

It was Walters who took Wang below his wing early after his arrival in Canada, with Walters’ father chauffeuring the participant to practices and video games. One other profit was Wang’s mom, Willa, who was so impressed by her son’s ardour for hockey, she grew to become an ice-rink developer in China and she or he ultimately bought the Ontario Junior Hockey League workforce the place her son performed.

The plan for Wang now’s to compete within the OHL subsequent season earlier than making the bounce to Boston College, the place his older brother accomplished his post-graduate research.

“After I was 12, I had a really naive perception in me that I’m going to make it,” he mentioned. “However I’m right here proper now and never taking any second as a right. I’m nonetheless studying, and I is likely to be nonetheless behind a variety of guys, however my potential and what I can turn out to be as a participant, that’s what’s actually thrilling about me.”

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