Wang Haoxi left China and family behind to chase his ice hockey dream in Canada – at age 12
The 17-year-old defenceman, who is known as Simon, is set to become the third Chinese-born player picked in NHL draft
Invited to watch his first ice hockey practice at an ice rink in Beijing, Wang Haoxi was no different from any impressionable, wide-eyed four-year-old being fascinated by the equipment the players wore.
They resembled superheroes with sticks, uniforms and bulging pads, their faces hidden behind helmeted cages. This was before the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, when hockey was a niche sport in China and the NHL a mere pipe dream.
“It was definitely the gear,” the 6ft 5in, 215lbs (1.96-metre, 98kg) – and still growing – defenceman who goes by Simon said earlier this month.
“Something just clicked inside of me, and I just fell in love with the game,” he said. “Right away, I told my mom I need to get out there as soon as possible. And I probably went on the ice the next day or so.”
This marked the start of a journey that saw a 12-year-old Wang move to Toronto and work his way up the junior ranks to play for the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals. At 17, he is considered a candidate to be an early to mid-round pick in the NHL draft in Los Angeles this weekend.
“I think this is a dream-come-true moment for me,” said Wang, ranked 34th on NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters. “If I told myself four, five years ago that I’ll be here, the NHL combine, I’d probably tell myself I’m dreaming.”