Craig Simpson is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on February 15, 1967, in London, Ontario, Canada. Simpson began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights in 1982. He played for the Knights for four seasons, during which he scored 192 points in 191 games.
In 1985, Simpson was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1985-86 season and played for the Penguins for two seasons. In 1987, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he played for six seasons. During his time with the Oilers, Simpson won two Stanley Cup championships in 1988 and 1990. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals.
In 1993, Simpson was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he played for two seasons. He retired from professional hockey in 1995 due to a back injury. Over the course of his NHL career, Simpson played in 634 games and scored 247 goals and 250 assists for a total of 497 points. He also played in 98 playoff games and scored 43 goals and 39 assists for a total of 82 points.
After retiring from hockey, Simpson became a hockey analyst for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and TSN. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres. In 2006, Simpson was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame.
Overall, Craig Simpson had a successful career in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cup championships and scoring over 400 points. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals, and he has continued to be involved in the hockey world as an analyst and coach.
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