Haoxi Wang, top Chinese prospect ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft

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China’s Next Big Thing? All Eyes on Haoxi “Simon” Wang at the 2025 NHL Draft

The spotlight is shifting to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where the 2025 NHL Entry Draft takes center stage on June 27–28. Among the prospects drawing serious attention is 17-year-old Haoxi Wang – or, as he’s known across North America, Simon Wang – a towering Chinese defenseman poised to make history.

Tom Boka

June 28, 2025

4–6 minutes

The Chinese blue-line phenom is on track to become the highest NHL draft pick in China’s history. With an impressive mix of size, skating, and two-way instincts, he’s quickly become one of the most talked-about names among NHL scouts.

Wang’s journey began in Beijing, where he first laced up skates at age 4½. Raised in a hockey household – his mother Willa Wang (1) is a successful entrepreneur who helped build rinks in Beijing during China’s Olympic hockey push – Wang quickly emerged as a standout talent.

Chinese Wonder Kid Haoxi Wang – from Beijing Beginnings to the OHL

Before he hit his teenage years, his hockey path took him to Canada (2). Living initially with his childhood friend Zekun “Zev” Zhang – who had moved abroad in pursuit of his hockey dream even earlier – and his family, Wang adapted fast. A brief return to China during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t derail his focus. By then, his dream of becoming a pro hockey player was already locked in.

Rising Through the Ranks

Wang climbed the ranks via the GTHL, starring at U15 and U16 levels before breaking into the OJHL. That stint opened the door to the prestigious Ontario Hockey League (OHL), as well as a scholarship opportunity with Boston University in the NCAA.

He spent nearly two years in the OJHL, including a stint with the King Rebellion – a team owned by his mother – before making the jump to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals in December 2024. In 32 regular-season games, Wang recorded two assists. He added three more during a deep 21-game playoff run that saw Oshawa reach the finals.

At 198 cm and 95 kg, he wasn’t just a presence on the ice – he was a magnet for scouts.

Here comes Simon Wang – NHL Scouts Are Taking Notice

Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting was impressed by Wang’s combination of size, skill, and skating ability (3):

“In my first viewing this year, I couldn’t believe how smooth he was. He’s right up there with the best skaters in the draft, and at 6-foot-5, that’s remarkable. You throw in the physicality and compete, and you have a kid who’s very intriguing to the NHL clubs. His puck game is improving, and he’s putting up some decent numbers.”

Wang’s former coach in Oshawa, Brad Malone, echoed that praise (4):

“You can’t teach size. You can’t teach his natural ability, his skating ability. I think his hockey IQ, both with and without the puck, is very high. (…) He makes a lot of good decisions and a lot of really good reads. He’s a tough defender to beat. He understands the defensive side of the game.”

Draft Stock Rising After Strong Combine

Wang turned heads again in June at the NHL Combine (5), where he impressed even among 90 of the world’s elite prospects. His performance underlined the physical tools that make him such a high-upside player.

Asked by Tony Ferrari from the YouTube channel Scouching (6) why a team should draft him, Wang’s answer was as polished as it was confident:

“I have an unreal passion for the game. I just want to be the best version of myself every day. I put in the work daily – I have a notebook, literally write down my daily goals that I need to accomplish before I go to bed. I am a student of the game, I compete, I do whatever it takes to win.”

NCAA on Hold – Eyes on the NHL

Although he committed to Boston University (NCAA), Wang has decided to stay in the OHL for now and will return to Oshawa next season. There’s no doubt he’ll be drafted – the only question is when. Most experts project him as a second- or third-round pick, but some believe he could sneak into the first round.

If selected, Wang would become just the third native-born Chinese player ever drafted, potentially leapfrogging Hongtian “Kevin” He and Andong Song. While Kevin He signed an entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets after being drafted last year, it’s Wang who may truly carry the banner for Chinese hockey development.

Why? Because unlike He – who moved to Canada at age six, is almost entirely a product of Canadian hockey, and has uncertain international allegiance – Wang spent over eight years developing in China and just five in Canada before making his mark on the draft radar.

Haoxi Wang and Team China – A National Pride and a Global Goal

Wang has already suited up for China’s junior national team (7) (albeit not at top-tier IIHF events) and proudly embraces his roots. In an interview with Alex Bastyovanszky of OJHL’s YouTube channel (8), he didn’t mince words when asked if playing for China’s ice hockey national team was part of his long-term goals:

“Yeah, 100 percent. Every time I can represent my country and play for our national team – U20 or whatever – if I have a chance to, I’ll always do it. And I think I take pride in my background and I’ll always do.”

But the young, thoughtful prospect isn’t focused solely on the upcoming draft or next season – he’s already looking beyond the horizon. In an interview with the NHL’s official website, he expressed a clear desire to help grow the game in China even after his playing days are over:

“That’s one of my goals in the future as well. I think after my career with hockey, I’ll go back to China, help them develop a new generation of players, bring it to North America, wherever they need to go, and help them to become a successful hockey player.”

The Future Face of Chinese Ice Hockey?

Skating ability, size, IQ, compete level, humility – Wang checks every box. As China continues its push into the global hockey spotlight, he could be the one leading the next generation of “Asian Hornets”.

The 2025 NHL Draft could mark a turning point for Chinese hockey. And whether Wang goes in the first, second, or third round, one thing is clear: the kid from Beijing is just getting started.

Tune in on June 27 to watch history in the making!

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Sources, Quotes and Notes:

nytimes.com/athletic/5891569/2024/12/04/nhl-draft-2025-haoxi-simon-wang/
nytimes.com/athletic/5891569/2024/12/04/nhl-draft-2025-haoxi-simon-wang/
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nhl/news/i-think-im-in-love-with-this-sport-haoxi-wang-fell-for-ice-hockey-when-he-was-4-and-now-at-17-hes-a-2025-nhl-draft-prospect/articleshow/122048206.cms
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nhl/news/i-think-im-in-love-with-this-sport-haoxi-wang-fell-for-ice-hockey-when-he-was-4-and-now-at-17-hes-a-2025-nhl-draft-prospect/articleshow/122048206.cms
chl.ca/ohl/article/ohl-talent-excels-at-2025-nhl-scouting-combine/
youtube.com/watch?v=druWDAmEnKY
nytimes.com/athletic/5891569/2024/12/04/nhl-draft-2025-haoxi-simon-wang/
youtube.com/watch?v=B-v1cH60VPg

Author

Written by

Tom Boka

I’m the founder and editor-in-chief of AsianIceHockey.com, a platform dedicated to highlighting the history, growth, and future of hockey across Asia. As a passionate writer and researcher, I strive to uncover the untold stories of Asian hockey and bring them to a global audience. Whether breaking down game-changing moments or exploring the sport’s roots in unexpected places, I’m committed to showing that hockey in Asia isn’t just an emerging scene – it’s a legacy in the making.