Photo: Team Shred Photography
The Washington Capitals have signed right wing Wayne Simpson to a one-year, two-way contract ($650,000 in the NHL/$140,000 in the AHL), senior vice president and General Manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Simpson went undrafted after playing four years at Union College (2009-2013). Simpson’s EliteProspect file can be accessed here:
Congrats to former Stingray forward Wayne Simpson (@waynetrain2013), who signed his first NHL contract with the @Capitals! #ProudAffiliate pic.twitter.com/GkJesCXg8A
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) July 11, 2017
FROM CAPITALS PRESS RELEASE
Simpson, 27, registered 49 points (16g, 33a) in 76 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) last season, setting AHL career highs in points, goals, assists and games played. The 5’11”, 194-pound right wing led Providence in assists and plus/minus (+22) during the 2016-17 season, ranked second in points and fifth in goals.
In addition, Simpson earned a career-high three assists on Nov. 23 at Rochester and recorded a career-long five-game point streak Nov. 18 to Nov. 25 (3g, 5a). The Boxborough, Mass., native has earned 86 points (25g, 61a) in 148 career AHL games with Providence and Portland. He also recorded 115 points (56g, 59a) in 159 games with Union College (NCAA) from 2009-13 and was named team MVP his senior year (2012-13).
Per the Washington Times, Simpson’s signing is most likely for the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears, who will need some reinforcements at forward with a few of their players likely headed for the NHL with several openings in the Caps’ lineup. However, Simpson may get an opportunity to make the Caps’ Opening Night roster, as well. Simpson played for the Capitals’ East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate South Carolina Stingrays during the 2013-14 season, and again in 2014-15, scoring 38 goals while adding 58 assists for 96 points in 191 games played.
