Craig Simpson

Lore & Background

Simpson played collegiate hockey for the Michigan State Spartans from 1983–84 to 1984–85, becoming one of the youngest players to play Varsity hockey in the United States (he turned 17 shortly after the season started). He was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He won two Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1988 and 1990) and led the playoffs with 16 goals in 1990. He is often cited for his exceptional shooting accuracy, though the claims of NHL records for career and playoff shooting percentage are not officially recognized.

Reader's Guide

Simpson began his NHL career as a right wing with the Penguins, shifted to left wing in Edmonton, and played on lines with Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, and Glenn Anderson. He scored a career-high 56 goals in 1987–88, becoming the first player to score 50 goals in a season split between two teams. Back injuries limited his later years, and he retired at age 28 after playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Did You Know?

• Wayne Gretzky's final point as an Oiler was an assist on a goal by Esa Tikkanen in Game 6 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals.
• He won the first season of CBC's Battle of the Blades in 2009 with partner Jamie Salé.
• Simpson is often noted for his exceptional shooting percentage, but the figures of 23.66% (career) and 33.65% (playoffs) are not official NHL records.