Former Toronto Maple Leafs Scout Unexpectedly Passes Away
Former Toronto Maple Leafs scout and Ottawa media personality Shawn Simpson has died.
Simpson passed away Wednesday at the age of 56, first reported by Brent Wallace of the 'Coming In Hot' podcast.
The Ottawa Senators in a statement said they were "deeply saddened" by Simpson's passing.
Ottawa Senators Vice President of Comamunications and former journalist Ian Mendes posted a tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter, to his once colleague.
Other media personalities have given their memories on Simpson online.
Simpson, known also by his nickname "Simmer", was open about his mental health struggles throughout his time as a media personality.
No cause of death was announced.
Shawn Simpson's Impact In Hockey Circles
Before becoming a namestay in Ottawa hockey circles, Simpson was a former hockey player and executive.
A netminder in his youth, Simpson was a member of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, drafted in the third round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals.
Simpson never played in the NHL, but played parts of three seasons in the AHL with the Capitals affiliate, the Baltimore Skipjacks.
After retiring from his playing career in 1991, Simpson stayed with the Capitals organization as a scout, later becoming the team's Director of Hockey Operations in the 1997-98 season, as well as General Manager of the AHL Portland Pirates, which had been the successor to the Skipjacks.
After being let go by the Capitals in 2004, Simpson quickly took on a new role as a Pro Scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a role he held until 2009.
After a short stint in Belarus, Simpson returned to Canada and in 2012 took on a media role with TSN, reuniting him with fellow former Leafs scout Craig Button.
Simpson has worked for TSN Ottawa from 2012 until his departure in 2023. Zimmer had continued to do analysis on the Ottawa Senators and the NHL at whole independently until his passing.
