By Jim Mason/OJHL Communications
Simon Wang of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Brantford 99ers (photo credit – Michelle Malvaso | OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I Boston University Terriers. The year of enrollment is still to be determined.
The 16-year-old from Beijing, China joined the 99ers from the North York Rangers U16 team this summer. He’s a 6-foot-5, 210-pound defenceman.
“The first time I saw him on the ice, I looked at his skating and said ‘Oh, my goodness’,” recalls veteran Brantford Head Coach and General Manager Mark Joslin. “Then I got to know him and said ‘This kid’s going to be a pro’.”
“A wonderful young man. Just turned 16. The good thing about Simon is that he’s a great teammate first. The veterans all love him. They understand that he’s got all this potential, hype and recognition. But he’s very humble. Everybody loves him.”
The Oshawa Generals selected Wang in the fifth round of last spring’s Ontario Hockey League U16 draft, but he’s intent on going the school route via the OJHL.
Wang can thank a pal back in Beijing for introducing him to hockey when they were four years old.
“It’s kind of weird,” he told the OJHL. “My friend brought me to try out this new sport that he said was really cool. I fell in love with it at first sight and I’ve stuck with it.”
He was the only hockey player in his school class in a country where basketball and table tennis are king.
Wang followed another Beijing buddy to Toronto at age 12 to play for the Toronto Titans.
He now lives with his mom in Vaughan where he attends high school.
Wang will see his father for the first time in more than two years when he returns to China to play in a U18 championship event this fall.
His English is rock solid, thanks to attending English kindergarten and studying the language in elementary school.
His only sibling, an older brother, obtained a master’s degree from Boston University but it’s only a coincidence that Simon committed to the same school.
He attended camps last summer at BU, Merrimack and Harvard before choosing the Terriers.
Wang should have no problem adjusting to college life.
“At first when I moved here (from China), I wasn’t used to it all. I was kind of sad and homesick. But after a year without family, I got used to it and learned how to cook and clean. All of it. So when I move to Boston, I’ll be ready to go.”
Wang hopes to share his love for the game back home.
“I love the speed of the game,” he said. “I love the offensive side and defensive side of it. Love the transition. It’s a weird feeling, but I just love hockey.”
Wang hopes to play on the national U20 team back home next year.
“Chinese hockey still has a long way to go compared to Canada. I just want to be a part of it, helping out and helping the next generation of Chinese players.”
Congratulations to Simon and best of luck in the OJHL and NCAA!
The OJHL has had more than 35 NCAA Division I scholarship commitments already this season.
Check out all our commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
