The Washington Capitals forward prospect pool is headlined by Ryan Leonard, Andrew Cristall and Ilya Protas. So unless the best player forward falls into their legs, it doesn’t seem like a big obstacle for the Capitals to target defenders and goalkeepers in the 2025 NHL Draft.
In the recent draft, Washington chose a defensive player who chose the second round and had a reasonable expectation that they will do the same this year. If they do want to add to the blue line, one player they should aim for is 6-foot-6-foot defender Haoxi “Simon” Wang on the other side of the world.
The King’s Journey Starts in China
Wang received his name from the International Kindergarten class, Simon, who hopes to be the second NHL-born player, following Kevin He, who signed with the Winnipeg Jets last season. The development curve of the tall Blueliner has been steep since he arrived in Toronto from Beijing, China five years ago. At the time, a 5-foot-4-foot king had to convince his parents to let him chase his dreams around the world. “I think they saw my passion,” Wang said on the 2025 NHL combine. “They saw my motivation and my belief in myself and basically painted a bigger picture to them and sold them in their dreams.”
Wang slid for three seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) before playing with General Grand Shawar in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His statistics didn’t score 32 points in his first high-profile junior hockey game with 32 points in 32 games, two and 32 points. 2024-25 OHL second team Jeolloque Trials looked more comfortable in 21 playoff games against Oshawa and contributed 3 assists. Wang won this week’s OHL rookie honors in the Eastern Conference final against the Barry Colts in late April.
“I’m still learning,” Wang said of his arrival at the scene. “I may still be behind a lot of people, but my potential … is really exciting. When an inexperienced person goes from China to Toronto, I’m already behind and didn’t start learning this game until I was 14.”
Wang demonstrates the power he brings with him on this year’s combine harvester size. He ranked second in the strength of left hand grip, while also earning eighth place in the right hand strength test among more than 80 test participants. Simon is particularly proud of himself as a third in the Force Plate vertical jump. “I love my vertical jumps,” Wang said. “I’ve done a lot of work this season. So, I’m so happy.”
The king will not wait alone to call his name later this month. “My brother and his wife will prepare the draft for me,” Simon said. “Some other family members, friends and consultants helped me throughout the process.”
King fills Washington’s prospects inadequate
Kings can bring unique elements to the capital’s backend as their current prospects lack scale. Cole Hutson is a 5-foot-10 2024 second-round draft pick, and his game is similar to that of NHL 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy champion (and brother) Lane Hutson. Wang is expected to join Boston University in the 2025-26 season as the duo studied under Ex-NHL forward and head coach Jay Pandolfo.
Related: Haoxi “Simon” Wang – 2025 NHL Prospect Prospect Profile
The capital has only two defensive prospects above 6 feet: Ryan Muggli and Vincent Iorio. Muggli is 6-foot-1, while Vincent Iorio is 6-foot-3. If there is Wang, the capital should seize the opportunity to add dimensions to a promising system that may have more coverage.
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