Changes: Don Simmons

Latest revision as of 00:01, 26 November 2020

Donald William "Don" Simmons (born September 13 1931, in Port Colborne, Ontario - died September, 2010) was a retired National Hockey League goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers.

Playing Career

Simmons played junior for the the Galt Black Hawks (1948-49) and the St. Catharines TeePees (1950-51). He then turned pro with the Springfield Indians for 4 seasons and the Johnstown Jets for one.

In 1956-57 he got his chance with the Boston Bruins, replacing Terry Sawchuk as the regular goaltender. He would play in tandem with veteran Harry Lumley for 3 seasons. He would tend the Boston goal from Feb. 1957 to Nov. 1960, playing in the Stanley Cup finals in 1957 and 1958. He became the second NHL goalie to wear a mask regularly, beginning during the January 10, 1960 game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 1961 Simmons was traded to Toronto and became backup to Johnny Bower. He won Stanley Cups with the team in 1962, 1963 and 1964. In 1964 he was the victim of the largest shutout loss in Leafs history, Boston 11, Toronto 0 on January 18, 1964.

Simmons was claimed by the New York Rangers in 1965. He played 21 games with the Rangers over the next five seasons but mainly played in the minors until he retired in 1969.

Awards & Achievements

1962 Stanley Cup Championship (Toronto)
1963 Stanley Cup Championship (Toronto)
1964 Stanley Cup Championship (Toronto)
1963 NHL All Star (Toronto)

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Donald William "Don" Simmons''' (born September 13 1931, in [[Port Colborne]], [[Ontario]] - died September, 2010) was a retired [[National Hockey League]] [[goaltender]] who played for the [[Boston Bruins]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], and [[New York Rangers]].
+==Playing Career==
 Simmons played junior for the the [[Galt Black Hawks]] (1948-49) and the [[St. Catharines TeePees]] (1950-51). He then turned pro with the [[Springfield Indians]] for 4 seasons and the [[Johnstown Jets]] for one.
-In 1956-57 he got his chance with the [[Boston Bruins]], replacing [[Terry Sawchuk]] as the regular goaltender. He would play in tandem with veteran [[Harry Lumley]] for 3 seasons. He would tend the Boston goal from Feb. 1957 to Nov. 1960, playing in the [[Stanley Cup]] finals in 1957 and 1958.
+In 1956-57 he got his chance with the [[Boston Bruins]], replacing [[Terry Sawchuk]] as the regular goaltender. He would play in tandem with veteran [[Harry Lumley]] for 3 seasons. He would tend the Boston goal from Feb. 1957 to Nov. 1960, playing in the [[Stanley Cup]] finals in 1957 and 1958. He became the second NHL goalie to wear a mask regularly, beginning during the January 10, 1960 game versus the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].
-In 1961 Simmons was traded to the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and became [[Johnny Bower]]'s backup. He won [[Stanley Cup]]s with the team in 1962, 1963, and 1964. In 1964 he was the victim of the Bruins' 11-0 win over the Leafs.
+In 1961 Simmons was traded to Toronto and became backup to [[Johnny Bower]]. He won [[Stanley Cup]]s with the team in 1962, 1963 and 1964. In 1964 he was the victim of the largest shutout loss in Leafs history, [[Boston 11 Toronto 0: Jan 18,1964|Boston 11, Toronto 0]] on January 18, 1964.
-Simmons was claimed by the [[New York Rangers]] in 1965. He played a few games with the Rangers and a lot more in the minors until he retired in 1969.
+Simmons was claimed by the [[New York Rangers]] in 1965. He played 21 games with the Rangers over the next five seasons but mainly played in the minors until he retired in 1969.
-==Awards & achievements==
+==Awards & Achievements==
 *[[1961–62 NHL season|1962]] [[Stanley Cup]] Championship ([[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]])
 *[[1962–63 NHL season|1963]] Stanley Cup Championship (Toronto)
@@ Line 16: / Line 17: @@
 *[[1962–63 NHL season|1963]] [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All Star]] (Toronto)
-==External links==
+==Gallery==
+<gallery captionalign="center">
+Oct1957-Hull_Simmons_Hillman_Stanley_Labine.jpg|Chicago's [[Bobby Hull]] battles Boston's [[Larry Hillman]] while [[Allan Stanley]], Don Simmons and [[Leo Labine]] look on, October 22, 1957. Hull scored his first career goal in this game.
+Mar1957-Flaman_Bathgate_Simmons.jpg|[[Fern Flaman]] defends against Rangers [[Andy Bathgate]] during the Bruins 2-1 win on March 13, 1957.
+Apr1957-Richard_on_Simmons.jpg|Don Simmons stops [[Maurice Richard]] in Game 5 of the [[1957 Stanley Cup Finals]].
+Apr1958-Moore_scores.jpg|[[Dickie Moore]] scores on Don Simmons as [[Claude Provost]] and [[Bob Armstrong]] (who missed the 1958 playoffs) watch, November 9, 1957.
+-Simmons_action.jpg|Don Simmons, [[Larry Regan]], [[Bob Pulford]] and [[Larry Hillman]], November 16, 1958.
+-Don_Simmons.jpg|Don Simmons was the second NHL goalie to wear a mask regularly.
+Jan1964-Bruins_11_Leafs_0_Simmons.jpg|Score clock showing the Boston 11, Toronto 0 score with goalie #24 Don Simmons, January 18, 1964.
+</gallery>
+==External Links==
 *[http://www.donsimmons.com Don Simmons Sports Goalie Store]
 *{{hockeydb|4959|Don Simmons}}
@@ Line 37: / Line 49: @@
 [[Category:St. Catharines Teepees alumni]]
 [[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players]]
-[[Category:Tulsa Oilers players|Simmons, Don]]
+[[Category:Tulsa Oilers (1964–1984) players|Simmons, Don]]
 [[Category:Vancouver Canucks (WHL) players]]
 [[Category:Retired in 1969]]