On January 30, 2025, the sports world lost Shawn “Simmer” Simpson at the age of 56. Known for his work as an NHL executive, scout, and a radio personality with TSN 1200, Simpson passed away in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Prior to his death, Simpson had completed rehabilitation and had moved in with friends Derick Fage and his wife. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Simpson, throughout his career, had been candid about his mental health struggles.
Simpson’s hockey career started in the Ontario Hockey League, and he was later drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1986. Though he never played in the NHL, he spent three seasons with the Baltimore Skipjacks, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Capitals.
Following his retirement from play in 1991, Simpson moved into hockey operations. He served as a scout and director of hockey operations for the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. Simpson also briefly worked as director of hockey operations for Dynamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League and later became president of the International Junior Hockey League’s Cape Cod Cubs.
“He wrestled with his demons,” said Graham Creech, a close friend and fellow broadcaster. Creech, along with podcaster Brent Wallace, shared stories of Simpson’s ongoing mental health battles.
In 2010, Simpson joined TSN 1200 in Ottawa as a part-time contributor giving hockey commentary. He became a full-time co-host on the station’s afternoon show, The Drive, from 2012 to 2019. Known for his lively enthusiasm and laughter, he later moved to the morning show, where his “Simmer Down” segment offered life advice to listeners. Simpson last worked as a postgame analyst for TSN 1200 Ottawa until June 2023.
The Ottawa Senators organization described Simpson as a “lionhearted member of the Sens media landscape and proud member of the Ottawa community.” Both the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals released statements expressing their condolences to Simpson’s family and friends.
Despite his professional achievements, Simpson faced personal struggles. After his parents divorced when he was 10, he moved frequently with his mother. His playing career was affected by injuries and criticism from fans. After losing his job in 2004, he experienced homelessness in Boston, Massachusetts before restarting his career in broadcasting.
Simpson’s openness about his mental health struggles prompted others in the sports industry to discuss mental wellness more openly. This candidness contributed to the dialogue on the mental strain of high-performance sports, leading to an increased emphasis on mental health programs and support for players and media personalities in the NHL.
In memory of Simpson, a fundraiser at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center has collected over $10,000 Canadian. The Ottawa Senators, Redblacks, 67’s, and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group all paid tribute to Simpson, acknowledging his contributions to the Ottawa sports community.
