SADLY, BAD THINGS OFTEN SEE IN THIRD-PARTY – AND SO WAS THE CASE WHEN HOCKEY LOST A TRIO OF EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL GOALKEEPER FAR TOO EARLY – AND FAR TOO YOUNG – IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. REST IN PEACE, “SIMMER,” “TREES,” AND “MILLSY.” LEARN MORE

SADLY BAD THINGS OFTEN SEEM TO HAPPEN “IN THREES” — AND SO IT HAS ONCE AGAIN AS HOCKEY HAS LOST A TRIO OF VETERAN PRO GOALIES WAY TOO SOON — AND WAY TOO YOUNG — IN JUST OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. RIP “SIMMER”, “TREES”, AND “MILLSY”.

SHAWN SIMPSON (August 10, 1968 – January 29, 2025)

Of the three I best knew Shawn “Simmer” Simpson (l), 56, who passed away in Ottawa, ONT, on January 29. A native of Vancouver, BC, he was the first goaltender selected in the 1986 NHL Draft taken by the Washington Capitals in the third round (60th overall). Although he never played a minute in the NHL, he did dress as a backup in a few games for the Caps on emergency callups from the AHL Baltimore Skipjacks in 1988 and 1990.

After retirement as a player he served as an NHL executive and scout with the Caps and Maple Leafs before later becoming a popular radio bradcaster on TSN 1200 in Ottawa from 2012 to 2023. Known affectionately as “Simmer,” his multifaceted career included playing in the 1987 World Junior Hockey Championship in the game Piešťany, Czechoslovakia, between Canada and the USSR that was called off midway in the second period after a twenty minute bench clearing brawl resulting in both teams being ejected from the tournament, serving as Director of Hockey Operations for the Washington Capitals, and as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leaf before transitioning to a beloved role in Ottawa’s sports media.

Simpson openly battled mental health challenges throughout his life and had recently undergone rehabilitation while staying with friends as he was searching for stability. Tributes poured in from colleagues, friends, and fans who remembered Simpson for his passion for hockey, advocacy for mental health awareness, and his genuine personality. His cause of his death has not been disclosed.

MARK LAFOREST (July 10, 1962 – March 31, 2025)

The colorful and free spirited Mark Andrew “Trees” Laforest (c) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 31 in his hometown of Welland, ONT, at just 62 years of age. Although undrafted he played 102 games in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators from 1985 to 1994. Laforest won a Calder Cup in 1986 with the Adirondack Red Wings and the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award twice as the AHL’s best goalie there in 1987 and with the Binghampton Rangers 1991.

Although traded by the Leafs to the New York Rangers in the summer of 1990, with Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck entrenched in the Rangers net in New York, Laforest was once again sent to the AHL, joining the Binghamton Rangers. Laforest spent the entire season in there appearing in 45 games with a record of 25–14–2, a GAA of 3.16 and a save percentage of .916. For his play in 1990–91 season, Laforest won his second Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goaltender and was named to the league’s Second All-Star Team. For the 1991–92 season he was assigned to Binghamton again and played the entire season in the AHL, with a record of 25–15–3 in 43 games with a GAA of 3.42 and a save percentage of .883 but never played for the parent club.

Known universally by his nickname “Trees” in retirement he appeared at numerous NHL alumni games including before a crowd of over 45,000 in thr Flyers-Rangers alumni game played at Citizens Bank Park as part of the 2012 Winter Classic in Philadelphia in which he spelled Bernie Parent.

in addition to those many NHL alumni events for both the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the Philadelphia Flyers, “Trees” also traveled to Canadian military bases in Kandahar to support Canadian troops during the country’s involvement in the War in Afghanistan.

GREG MILLEN (June 25, 1957 – April 7, 2025)

Of the three goalies, Greg “Millsy” Millen (r) who passed away suddenly just yesterdat (April 7) at just 67, had by far the longest playing career in the NHL over 14 years playing in 604 regular season and 59 Stanley Cup games with six teams — Pittsburgh, Hartford, St. Louis, Quebec, Chicago and Detroit — before he transitioned to a successful three-decade NHL broadcasting career. Known for his enthusiastic commentary, leadership qualities, and community involvement, Millen left an indelible mark on hockey both on and off the ice.

A native of Toronto, ONT,, Millen developed his passion for hockey playing on outdoor rinks in his childhood neighborhood. Despite some scouts believing he was too small at 5’9” to succeed as a professional goaltender, Millen’s determination and perseverance helped him overcome these early doubts. His junior hockey career began with the Peterborough Petes in 1974 under coach Roger Neilson, who recognized Millen’s potential and style. He later completed his junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, where he had the unusual distinction of briefly coaching a young Wayne Gretzky during a period when the team was between coaches.

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Millen in the sixth round (102nd overall) of the 1977 NHL Draft, beginning his professional career. After three seasons with Pittsburgh, Millen signed as a free agent with the Hartford Whalers where he played four seasons and represented Canada at the World Championships. He was subsequently traded to the St. Louis Blues in February 1985, helping them reach the Conference Finals in 1986 before losing to the Calgary Flames.

Throughout his playing career, Millen established himself as a reliable goaltender despite facing challenging circumstances on often struggling teams. His career statistics reflect the era of higher-scoring hockey, finishing with a record of 215-284-89, a 3.88 goals-against average, and 17 shutouts in 604 regular-season games. In playoff competition, he compiled a 27-29 record with a 3.43 GAA and .885 save percentage across 59 games.

After ending his playing career, Millen became the color commentator on television broadcasts for the expansion Ottawa Senators spending eleven seasons with that club before joining the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada in 1995. After a year with CTV Sports-net, he rejoined HNIC in 1999–2000 as the color commentator of the network’s secondary broadcast team, He was promoted to the lead team in 2007, working alongside Bob Cole. In this role he worked on CBC’s coverage of the 2007 and 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

As of 2014 Millen worked exclusively for Rogers Communications, both on telecasts that were part of the national television contract under the Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Monday Night Hockey or Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey banners. He had worked as an analyst on the Maple Leafs regional package that appeared on Sportsnet Ontario. Until his sudden death, he worked primarily on Calgary Flames broadcasts under the Hockey Night in Canada banner.

RIP to these three very different “targets” all three of which I saw play and knew during their playing and/or their off ice broadcasting and other careers.