Context:

Haoxi Simon Wang, originally from Beijing, embarked on a remarkable journey to pursue hockey in Canada, leaving his family at age 12 to move to Toronto. His initial fascination with hockey gear evolved into a deep passion for the sport, which led him to play for the OHL Oshawa Generals and become a candidate for the NHL draft. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, Wang's talent and determination have placed him in a position to be the third Chinese-born player selected in the NHL draft. His development was accelerated by an NCAA rule change that allowed him to play in the OHL, where he quickly caught the attention of scouts with his skating skills. Wang's mother, inspired by his dedication, became involved in the sport by developing ice rinks in China, and Wang plans to further his career by playing college hockey at Boston University.

Dive Deeper:

• Haoxi Simon Wang moved from Beijing to Toronto at age 12 to pursue his dream of playing hockey, inspired by watching his first practice and being fascinated by the players' gear. This passion led him to join the OHL Oshawa Generals, where he quickly advanced through the junior ranks.

• Wang's journey has been marked by significant cultural and language adaptation, as he left his family behind and faced the challenge of integrating into a new environment where he initially only understood the language of hockey.

• With a height of 6-foot-5 and weighing 215 pounds, Wang's physical attributes, combined with his skating ability, have made him a promising candidate for the NHL draft, potentially becoming the third Chinese-born player to achieve this milestone.

• The change in NCAA rules, which previously barred CHL players from competing in college, allowed Wang to debut with the Oshawa Generals, where he quickly made an impression despite having only played hockey for a few years.

• Wang's determination to improve led him to insist on moving to the OHL from the OJHL to face stronger competition, contrary to some NHL teams' advice to remain in junior leagues for longer.

• His mother, Willa, became an ice-rink developer in China after being inspired by Wang's dedication to hockey, further supporting his journey by purchasing the team he played for in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

• Wang's future plans include playing in the OHL next season before advancing to Boston University, where he will continue to develop his skills, aiming to leverage his potential and passion for the sport to achieve further success.