Wang breaks new ice in NHL draft

LOS ANGELES — Wang Haoxi was proud to become the highest-drafted Chinese-born player, when the San Jose Sharks selected him Saturday with the first pick of the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft.

The big defenseman is also confident he won't hold that distinction for long.

"It's an unreal moment for my family and for hockey in China," Wang said. "Just a really surreal moment, a dream-come-true moment. I hope I've inspired a lot of kids back home."

The 6-foot-6 blueliner was chosen 33rd overall, as the NHL concluded its newly decentralized draft with the final six rounds at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The New York Islanders kicked off the draft Friday by using the first overall pick on defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

Wang's family moved from Beijing to Toronto when he was 12 to further the career of a kid who attended the NHL China Games and became fascinated with the sport, which has grown steadily in China over the years.

Wang is only the third Chinese-born player ever drafted by the NHL, but he knows he won't be the last. Kevin He was drafted 109th overall by the Winnipeg Jets last year, and Song Andong was chosen 172nd by the New York Islanders in 2015.

"Hopefully, one day, my record will get broken again," Wang said. "Someone will go in the first round, even top 10. I think there will definitely be someone that's going to make a huge impact on the game."

Wang said that he plans to go by the name Simon during his hockey career, because "it's simpler for North Americans".

Wang is a physical specimen who probably isn't even done growing, but he has surged forward in his hockey development over the past year, showing more than enough potential to entice the Sharks and several other teams.

Wang aspires to be an imposing two-way defenseman in the mold of Victor Hedman or Colton Parayko, but he had little draft buzz until the start of last season, when teams began to take notice of his rapidly developing skills. He soon joined the OHL's Oshawa Generals and got even more exposure during their playoff run.

"Seeing so many scouts in the Junior A barn, it just started hitting me," Wang said. "The summer before the season, I thought I was going undrafted, to be honest with you. But, it happened for a reason, and I worked so hard for this. I deserve to be here."

Wang got into hockey as a child, but he didn't truly embrace the game until his family took a trip to Los Angeles eight years ago. The 10-year-old attended a Kings game right across the street from where he was drafted — although he fell asleep during the game, he recalls with a laugh.

Wang then attended a Bruins-Flames game played in Beijing in 2018.

Wang walked the red carpet in Los Angeles on Friday with his mother, who propelled his career. He also got his first chance in nearly two years to see his brother, who studied at Boston University, where Wang might play college hockey starting in 2026 if next year in Oshawa goes well.

The 101-kilogram Wang represented Beijing at China's 14th National Winter Games in February 2024, helping his squad secure a gold medal with an undefeated record in the youth division.

Wang began the season with 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 38 games for the King franchise in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

He signed with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League on December 3, 2024. He had two assists in 32 regular-season games and three assists in 21 OHL playoff games.

Wang is No 34 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters. "Simon is an interesting prospect," Central Scouting's Nick Smith said in a recent interview. "His skating, footwork, and edges are remarkable for a player his size."

"I think with my skating and my size combination, I can be a lot of things," Wang said in an interview ahead of the draft.

"I can play in a top-two role, or I can play in the bottom-three role. Just all depends on how I develop as a player. As long as I'm putting my mind to it, I'll think I'll be in a great position."

"When I heard my name called, tears almost fell down my face, but I tried to just soak in the moment and stay present," said Wang on Saturday. "It's only the start, it's not the end, and I'll do whatever it takes to play in the NHL and to be the best player.

"I think it's a unique story, and it's a unique background, coming from China.

"I hope I can inspire a lot of kids to come over and really enjoy the game of hockey. And I hope there are more Chinese kids to get picked in the NHL.

"I'll be really proud of them and proud of the country and how hockey has been developed (in China) throughout the years," he added.

Agencies - Xinhua