todd simpson

Little known facts: I have a black belt in keeping it real. Also a secret figure skating fan.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@JasonGregor Ive had harder, meaner and stricter coaches. But there is respect. He has no respect. Commodore is dead on in his assessments. I stood up to the bully and Babcock backed down immediately. He was scared. And I was traded right away thankfully.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@JasonGregor You are absolutely right Jason. I had Babcock for only 5 months and I never saw someone treat people so bad. From the front office interns to the trainers and his own asst coaches, he mocked and belittled everyone. He plays mind games, verbally hits and runs, a bad human being.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

Yes, you are the only one. Very naive comment.

[Tim Micallef @tim_micallef]

Am I the only one that thinks...the size of rinks can no longer contain the speed and skill on the ice?

And I'm not talking about..the extra 3 feet (though it would help) I'm saying these guys are so big, so fast, so good...especially at this level - that the rinks limit their skill.

I would love to see this group fly on the old school big Olympic ice.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Thoughts on Team Canada at World Juniors:

There's been a lot of discourse today about Canada's performance after bowing out to Czechia again. I've read a lot about roster construction, team toughness, how players were used during the tournament, and other things related to the team's inability to get the job done.

These things may have been an issue, but reality is the problem runs way deeper.

Here is the biggest thing that people aren't talking about:

Canada has WAY fewer youth boys playing hockey than it did a decade ago.

Looking at Hockey Canada registration and membership data, it's mind-boggling to see the numbers.

And the numbers in the biggest provinces (Ontario and Quebec) are especially egregious.

So why is this happening? Hockey is Canada's sport. It shouldn't be like this.

It's what we hear every day from families all over North America:

Costs are too high. It's professionalized at too young of an age. The stress of the youth hockey experience is too much for kids and families.

Community programs have been replaced by for-profit entities leading to higher costs and more pressure. Development has been replaced by super teams and rogue/outlaw leagues outside of Hockey Canada even before kids are 8 years old. At the older ages, hockey academies have become what families believe is the only way their kids will make it - shelling out INSANE amounts of money to send their kids to do so.

Ontario just got rid of residency rules which will only lead to less accountability and more club-hopping than there already was in the nation's craziest and biggest youth hockey market.

The reason why Canada was the hockey superpower for so long is because it was part of the fabric of the country. There was such a pride and passion for the game and what the game meant to the flag. There was such a sense of playing the game for something bigger than yourself.

Now rather than playing for the love of the game, hockey in Canada is like a job for many of these kids in the environment they're being put in. It's less about pride and passion and more about the path to making it. When in all honesty, it's the pride and passion for the game that is the biggest consistency in the kids that do end up making it.

If Canada wants to restore its hockey dominance, it better take a long look in the mirror at the grassroots and what is going on in youth hockey. If you have tens of thousands of fewer boys playing the game, you should probably look at that first. The bigger your pool of athletes, the more elite athletes you can develop.

"As many as possible, for as long as possible, in the best environment possible". That has to be the guiding principle.

There's a lot of great people in Canada doing incredible things for the game, but the system itself is fundamentally broken. If Hockey Canada is serious about getting back to the top, it has to start at the bottom.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@Mike_kim714 Players Championship please! I will tell you funny hockey stories while I caddy for you in the ProAm

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@Super70sSports Was just about to buy a shirt- shipping was almost as much as the shirt! Cant justify it..Any tips or help? Love your account man!

[Calgary Flames @NHLFlames]

The @AlumniFlames Masters Charity Golf Tournament auction is LIVE and has plenty of amazing items you can bid on! Proceeds will support @CPKidsandFamily ❤️

Get your bids in: https://t.co/5JixPFoObl

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@JeffRubino @FlamesHardPics Exactly!! 😂😂😂

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

During the West Kelowna fires of summer 2023, former NHLers Todd Simpson & Wade Redden stepped up when it mattered most. From saving homes to rallying their community, they proved their legacy goes far beyond the rink.

Full 📽️: https://t.co/mIll1DUS32

@Scotiabank | #HockeyDay

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

Love it! Never seen this picture before, thanks!

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@FlamesHardPics Tough crowd, only 1 like!

[Mike Commodore @commie22]

FOLKS!!!…Let me tweet this loud and clear……

HEY MIKE BABCOCK YOU ARROGANT PIECE OF SHIT…YOU HAVE BEEN A PREDATOR YOUR ENTIRE CAREER…TODAY IT FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO YOU…#PACKYOURSHIT AND GO HOME FOREVER..YOU ARE OFFICIALLY TOXIC.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@mikecommito Such a happy day- first and only time asking for a trade. Had to get away from toxic Mike Babcock. Thankfully the GM, the late, great Bryan Murray helped me out.

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@FlamesNation Why that's Todd Simpson's elbow and foot!

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

Meant to say that my shoulder was never the same after that fight. Off-season surgery. Decent comeback though...broken nose Georges??

[Georges Laraque @GeorgesLaraque]

And guess who I fought that game?!

[Georges Laraque @GeorgesLaraque]

And guess who I fought that game?!

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

@Dempster46 Congratulations Demps!!!

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

😂😬

[Sandra Prusina @sprusina]

Step into a #Flames time machine as Todd Simpson, Cale Hulse, and Jarome Iginla intimidatingly walk down a Calgary alley in hopes of finding new season ticket holders.

🎞 YouTube

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

Fantastic coach!! Congratulations!

[Saskatoon Blades @BladesHockey]

Long overdue.

#BuildersBanner | #Mooner

[todd simpson @toddsimpson27]

Absolutely right Kelly!!

[Kelly Chase @Chasenpucks39]

Yes he ruined it when they fired him. Hasn't been good since he left and slowly getting worse. @CoachsCornerDC