Tank Talk: Haoxi (Simon) Wang

Tank Talk: Haoxi (Simon) Wang

Simon is 6’6, but we’re both sitting on stools right now. That’s why we’re level at height. You You’re I just want to say this before the questions start coming your way. Uh I feel like you’re even bigger than I than I realized you were in person. Do you get that a lot? I do. I think um I have a baby face for a 66 guy, so people that well on camera, they don’t think I’m that tall, but when they meet me in person, so I was like, “Wow.” So, uh, as we’re recording this, it’s the start of Dev Camp and the draft wasn’t too far ago, but, um, since you got drafted, uh, what was like the reaction from friends and family and how many people reached out? Maybe some that you didn’t even expect to reach out. Did you hear from a lot of people? Oh, 100%. My phone absolutely blew up and, you know, I still probably haven’t got back to a lot of guys and uh, hope you guys don’t hate me too much and I’ll try to I’ll try to text you back as soon as possible. So, does it go I mean obviously friends from hockey, but does it go all the way back to friends and family from China, too? Oh, 100%. I mean, like my I have my on my dad’s side, he has seven siblings. Oh, wow. And like that group chat just blew up and just spamming all over the place. But, um yeah, I mean it’s great for my culture and my heritage to, you know, got a Blazer guy. Blazer guy. Trailblazer. Trailblazer. That’s what it is. Sorry. Yeah. No, Charl is a guy that, you know, open open some eyes and, you know, some hopes for the new generation and and I hope I did my job and inspire more kids to play hockey and come over overseas, keep developing and help Chinese hockey to um progress. You know, it’s it’s twofold. Like I want to pay attention to you as a hockey player and that’s your journey is important, but I also think to your your point, your heritage and representation is so huge and and maybe the trailblazing that you’re trying to do. I’m sure you’re aware also that here in the Bay Area there is a large Asian community and without even knowing you yet, I feel like they are inspired by your story and and and your presence here and and being somebody who looks a little bit different in our sport. I think that’s great. So, how how do you see that maybe not only landing in the NHL, but landing in a market like this where I think you can you have the ability to touch a lot of people? 100%. And I think every chance I can inspire kids, you know, like um I I would love to and you know, hopefully take they took some out of my experience and and keep developing as a hockey player and a human being and hopefully one day like Asian community can have a part of um you know be part of National Hockey League. So born Housei, right? Yes. Uh and then at some point you get to choose the name Simon. Is that when you came to Canada? No, I got my name from a kindergarten school. Okay. So, international kindergarten school and they gave me the name Simon and I stick with it. And so, but but so when fans know that that Simon is the the second name or the the English, I guess name is the right way to put it. How how do you want to how do you want to be known? I guess it’s a weird question. How how she feels feels natural? And you know what around here in the Bay Area that’s it’s a lot more common. Uh do you think you’ll ever go back to Hiy or you think you’ll stay with Simon? I think I’m I’m still trying to figure it out. Figure it out. But, you know, how she’s very unique and yeah, you know, it’s it’s great to be, you know, have a unique part of my side and, you know, hearing my actual name called and and the starting lineup one day will be actually phenomenal. So, maybe I’ll change it back. We’ll I’ll make the decision pretty soon. It’s a It’s a fluid situation. No, I I think you have options. I think it’s great. Um, a lot of people talk about when you were drafted, the raw potential you have in your game. What gets you from this point where it’s raw potential eventually into refined talent? What’s the work ahead for you? Like, I think there’s so much to give from my side. I’m extremely raw and, you know, I have tons to give on both side of the ice, you know, with my skiing ability and my size combination already. It’s a really unique um skills. So, I got to use that at my full advantage, you know, and use that as a offensive zone weapon, you know, skate around guys on the blue line, getting shot through and defensive side, just shutting down guys with my skating and my skates, uh, my sticks and Yeah. Is size for you, is it more of a physical imposing thing, like a bodyto body thing on other players, or is it also your ability to have like a long reach on the blue line? Oh, like I think both. As you said, my reach is extremely long. Um that’s my one of my greater weapon as well. You know, protect the puck in situations and making tight plays through um through seams and Yeah. Okay. All right. We’ve done the serious questions. Can I do a couple fun ones? Of course. Yeah, feel free. Here we go. Uh let me see here. H how about this one? Favorite sheet of ice or rink that you’ve ever played hockey on? And I imagine like this could be anywhere in the world for you. So favorite one for you? I would say Tribute Community Center. My ash general rink. It’s electric. I truly enjoy playing there as a Jensen’s player and it’s, you know, it’s unreal. Yeah. All right. Very good. Uh, next one is your go-to cheat meal. Do you know what I mean by that? Yes, 100%. Man, that’s that’s going to be big meal for for me. Uh, I would say Wow. Cheat meal. I I just had three In-N-Out double double burger. Oh, all right. Welcome to California, by the way. Oh my god, it’s unreal. So, that’s probably my cheat meal for now. So, wait a second. Have you ever had In-N-Out before? Cuz I think we talked and you said you hadn’t even been to California yet. I went to San Fran before. So, I drove from San Fin to LA when I was 10 and years old, you know, traveling around. And um and I had it now once. That’s probably the only time I had it. And I kind of forgot how it tastes until I landed in LA. And it’s phenomenal. I think I actually just skipped over something important. You just said you had three double doubles. Three double doubles and a a Coke. You know, there’s like animal style fries. There’s a bunch of secret menu items you can get to. just just passing on some expertise to you. Yeah. Uh I mean the animal fries I think personally people might flame me but I think it’s a little bit overrated. I had it and I not the big fan of it but double doubles are phenomenal. All right. I I like it. You’re you’re resonating with me right now. Last thing. Uh how do you how do you tape your stick up? Black tape, white tape. What do you do? White tape toe to heel. I used to be heel to toe but switch it up. I kind of like it. And my knobs a little bit weird. Um, three stripes, you know, for my pinky, my other three fingers. So, that’s about it. All right. Hey, looking forward to seeing out seeing it and you out there, Simon. Congratulations on the being drafted and welcome to the Sharks. Thank you so much. Dex S.

Haoxi (Simon) Wang sits down with Brodie Brazil while in San Jose for Development Camp after being drafted in the 2025 NHL Draft.