Special Announcement - Craig Simpson to Coach

Western Elite Hockey is proud to announce that Craig Simpson is to be the head coach of one of the teams at the 2010 Western Elite Prospects Game.

Craig was drafted in the 1st Round, 2nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Midway through his third NHL season, he was traded as part of a package to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Paul Coffey. Simpson blossomed in Edmonton, playing on a line with future Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson. He scored a career high 56 regular season goals during the 1987–88 season, and won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers, in 1988 and 1990. He would be dealt to the Buffalo Sabres prior to the 1993-94 season.

Simpson suffered a serious back injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 1, 1993. Though he continued to play, the injury would eventually end his playing career at age 28. He retired as a player in 1996, finishing with 497 career NHL points. He holds the record for best career shooting percentage with a 23.66% mark.

Simpson joined his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, in 2005 and served as an assistant coach of the team. He helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2005–06 season.


Currently Craig is the color commentator along with Jim Hughson who does play by play on CBC Hockey Night in Canada’s marquee games.


The 2010 Western Elite Prospects Game will be held on July 31st at the Kinsmen Arena in Edmonton.