Former Flames winger Chris Simon dead at 52
Simon was a key in-season acquisition by the Flames during the 2003-04 season and played in 16 playoff games as they made their magical run to the Stanley Cup Finals
Published Mar 19, 2024 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 2 minute read
Former Calgary Flames forward Chris Simon has died.
The 52-year-old played 15 seasons in the NHL, was a key in-season acquisition by the Flames during the 2003-04 season and played in 16 playoff games as they made their magical run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Simon was a member of the Michipicoten First Nation, near Wawa, Ontario.
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“The Calgary Flames are mourning the loss of our teammate and friend, Chris Simon,” the team said in a statement. “He was an integral part of the Flames’ magical run to Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals … becoming an instant fan favourite along the way.
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“The Calgary Flames, along with the Calgary Flames Alumni, send our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to Chris’s family during this difficult time.”
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Selected in the second round, 25th overall in the 1990 NHL Draft, Simon would go on to play 782 games with a handful of teams around the NHL. While he had a reputation for being one of the toughest guys on the ice, he had real offensive skill, too, scoring 144 goals and adding 161 assists during his long career.
His stop in Calgary wasn’t long, but it was memorable and he was a fan favourite at the Saddledome throughout his tenure.
He joined the Flames late in the 2003-04 season from the Rangers. He scored three goals and added two assists during the remaining 13 regular season games and then added five goals and two assists while providing always-needed grit in the playoff run that ended in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
After the NHL lockout saw the 2004-05 season cancelled, Simon stayed with the Flames for the next season, scoring eight goals and adding 14 assists in 72 games before joining the New York Islanders in free agency.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, many of Simon’s former teammates remembered him as a man whose off-ice demeanour was nothing like the tough-guy reputation he earned on it.
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“Folks … sad day today,” wrote Mike Commodore, Simon’s teammate with the Flames on that run. “Chris Simon was definitely an intimidating guy on the ice … hell of a player as well … we spent a lot of time together during Flames 04 run since we were both living in the hotel… he couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You will be missed.”
Folks…sad day today…Chris Simon was most definitely an intimidating guy on the ice…hell of a player as well…we spent a lot of time together during Flames 04 run since we were both living in the hotel…he couldn’t have been nicer to me. RIP Chris. You will be missed.
— Mike Commodore (@commie22) March 19, 2024Article content
Gus Thorson, the Flames’ former equipment manager, remembered Simon in a similar way.
“Can’t believe this is true,” Thorson wrote. “Chris Simon was one of the best teammates and leaders I ever had the opportunity to be around. Tears when he left our team and a bear hug when he returned as an opponent. Rest in Peace Chris.”
There are so many sad reports… can’t believe this is true ???? #ChrisSimon was one of the best team mates and leaders I ever had the opportunity to be around. Tears when he left our team and a huge bear hug when he returned as an opponent. Rest in Peace Chris ???????? pic.twitter.com/tgR5qcvDt8
— Gus Thorson ⚾️???????????? (@BreakawaySR) March 19, 2024Article content
Simon won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1995.
X: @DannyAustin_9
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