All eyes are on Washington DC. The devastating mid-air crash between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an army helicopter near the Reagan National Airport on Wednesday has plunged the nation into mourning. But for the NHL community, this isn’t the only death it’s having to deal with. Instead, hockey fans are just as heartbroken by the passing of one of their own recently. And it looks like our Canadian neighbors share our grief.
The Ottawa Senators host the Washington Capitals at the Canadian Tire Centre tonight. But the excitement of the match has been pretty much dulled by the dual tragic incidents over the past few hours. While the accident was justifiably a massive blow to the guts, the demise of NHL legend and former Capitals goalie Shawn “Simmers” Simpson was another heartbreak hockey fans are dealing with right now. The Senators took to X to extend their sympathies for the grieving families via an X post on January 30.
“Our heart goes out to all those affected by this devastating event,” the PA of the Canadian Tire Centre announces. Along with that, the arena also took the opportunity to remember Simpson, who was the 1986 3rd-round draft pick by the Capitals. “We now ask that you join us in a moment of silence in their memory,” the PA once again announced with a sonorous boom, as the giant screen showed the message, “In memory of Shawn Simpson,” who was a beloved member of the Ottawa community. The post’s accompanying video showed NHL stars from both the Capitals and Senators sides sporting a painful expression on their faces, as they hailed their former colleague and the accident victims.
Prior to puck drop tonight the #Sens honoured the lives of Shawn Simpson and the victims of the tragedy in Washington last night with a moment of silence. pic.twitter.com/GH4uJeQEXe
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 31, 2025
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