Former Player and TSN Announcer Shawn Simpson Passes Away

[Kobe Armstrong]

RIP Shawn Simpson

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[zenator]

RIP Simmer. I met him a few times, was a very nice man. Sometimes the people who are hurting inside the most are able to be brave, funny, and engaging on the outside, and like to make others feel good to hide their pain. And no matter how hard people try to help, it isn't enough when someone can't see the light anymore. It will be a heavy-hearted atmosphere at the game tonight.

Ottawa native, played for Sault Ste Marie (OHL), drafted by Washington. Worked for Capitals and then Leafs organizations. Came home to Ottawa, was a media personality for years.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Awful news to hear, to add to zenator’s post, he was also the goalie in Piastany.
Enjoyed him on the radio, RIP Simmer.

 

[NyQuil]

Definitely didn’t mind sharing his opinion and generating plenty of hot takes to drive discussion.

He will be missed.

 

[Emerica]

Really sad news to wake up to. RIP Simmer

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Incredibly sad. Caps and Sens play tonight, I imagine there would be a tribute before the game

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

RIP Simmer

 

[tarheelhockey]

 

[LG18]

Who's cutting onions?

RIP Simmer.

 

[Doctor No]

Dang.

My favorite Shawn Simpson story:

"Radio color commentator Shawn Simpson was halfway through a broadcast of last night's (4/23/1990) Baltimore Skipjacks game at Baltimore Arena when a breathless man came up to him and said, "Pack your gear, hop in the car and get down to Washington right away." Simpson's night as a broadcaster was over. He was about to become the Washington Capitals' backup goaltender. When Don Beaupre went out with a groin injury in the opening minutes of last night's playoff game, the Capitals quickly called their farm team in Baltimore and asked for an available goaltender. Simpson, 21, Baltimore's third-string goaltender - who is so available he sits in the broadcast booth - was ready and willing. He arrived at Capital Centre between the second and third periods. He found a jersey waiting for him - No. 30, with his last name on the back. "You always dream about something like this happening," said Simpson, who has spent six years in the minors [sic]. "Does this count toward my pension?"

 

[Golden_Jet]

We’re going to miss you Shawn.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

 

[rielledup]

We’re going to miss you Shawn.

It's scary that someone can have all the right help and resources to get better and still end up committing suicide. I wonder why someone in that situation isn't ever able to get over the feelings of worthlessness and not being able to trust people even with therapy? Very sad.

 

[1989]

Rest in peace, Shawn. Far too young.

And to all the guys out there - just check in on your boys every now and then. Even a small text counts, or a beer, or whatever. The conversation topics are up to you but the actions are meaningful.
And if you're a guy who needs help, reach out to your boys. They're gonna be there for you, even if you think it's hard to start talking and sharing.

It's scary that someone can have all the right help and resources to get better and still end up committing suicide. I wonder why someone in that situation isn't ever able to get over the feelings of worthlessness and not being able to trust people even with therapy? Very sad.

Not speaking for anyone else, and not speaking as a professional or anything - just my 2 cents - it's not just about external supports, which exist. It's because the fight is always internal, when your buddies go home, when you get off the phone with your therapists, when you lie awake in bed at night with your thoughts. The supports, in a manner of speaking, "go away"... but you don't.

It doesn't mean it's hopeless. It just means it's that difficult to overcome.

 

[_habsfan9]

Listened to him for years every morning, was gutted when he was let go from 1200. I really liked his vocal cadence on the radio. He was very funny.

 

[SherVaughn30]

From one goalie to another, RIP Shawn Simpson.

I have a story memory of Shawn Simpson, when he still was in the Caps organization. I think at the time he was in the minors with the Baltimore Skipjacks, the Caps AHL affiliate farm team at the time. I had attended Caps summer camp in Odenton, MD. It really was a camp for young players, as goalies were just there to be in net for player drills and scrimmages. I was 16 at the time(I'm now 49) where I only had 6 months instructional skating and wanted to jump into being a hockey goalie(basically I could only drop down to my knees and use forward/backward swivels for movement). I convinced my parents(that wasn't easy) to buy me goalie equipment and start off with the Caps summer camp. My goalie experience was just playing street hockey goalie(made my own leg pads, blocker and glove cuff out of old spongy mattress foam, using a softball glove n cheap Mylec street hockey goalie stick).

Anyways, back to the story about Shaw Simpson. In one drill a player beat me five-hole making me look bad. Shawn quipped to me, "You play like Pete Peters!". I kind of gave him a look of why is this guy making fun of me, because I very well knew who Pete Peters was for the Caps. I'm sure Shawn was just ribbing me seeing that I was new to playing as an ice hockey goalie. I think I might have quipped back, "I have only been skating for 6 months!" He might have given me some goalie pointers, but I can't remember what exactly. I didn't take it hard because I knew I was far against the odds of learning to play goalie on the ice and just wanted to enjoy what I had watched on TV for years. I took it in stride. The following summer I did the Caps camp again and was awarded a plaque of most improved player. I have some photos taken from that Caps camp(one is with Dino Ciccarelli and I might have one with Shawn Simpson(if that is the case I will post here).

Shawn seemed like a cool guy from what I vaguely remember. I had no idea he was battling with mental illness. I just hope he's remembered as a good hart person and that others dealing with the same mental illness can get proper treatment to prevent a disappearance from this world.