Hack Simpson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events) • Other
SexMale
Full nameHarold Alfred "Hack"•Simpson
Used nameHack•Simpson
Born26 June 1910 in Rosser, Manitoba (CAN)
Died30 March 1978 in Montréal, Québec (CAN)
Measurements190 cm / 91 kg
AffiliationsThe Winnipegs, Winnipeg (CAN)
NOC Canada
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Ice hockey defenseman Hack Simpson began his career with the Winnipeg Pilgrims of the city’s Junior Hockey League in 1927, playing with them for two seasons before moving to the University of Manitoba’s junior squad for 1929-1930. For his first senior season he joined the Winnipeg Hockey Club and, in 1931, captured the Allan Cup with his team, given annually to the senior men’s ice hockey champions in Canada. It was this victory that paved the way for the Winnipegs to represent Canada at the 1932 Winter Olympics, where they eventually won the gold medal at the hockey tournament. At the Olympics he played in five matches and scored six goals in the position of forward, a change decided by Coach Jack Hughes to capitalize on Simpson’s scoring ability. Simpson then trained to be on the Canadian rowing team for that year’s summer Olympics, but did not actually attend. He spent his first post-Olympic season with the Windsor Bulldogs of the International Hockey League (during its 1929-1936 incarnation), but also played one game with the Quebec Castors of the Canadian-American Hockey League. During this time he also had a brief stint with the National Hockey League’s Montreal Maroons, but was cut from the team in 1933. His final season as a player consisted of 14 games with the Montreal Royals of the Quebec Senior Hockey League. He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of the 1931 Winnipegs.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) CAN Hack Simpson
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Canada 1 Gold
Ice Hockey Exhibition, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) Canada 2 2

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1932 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony CAN Hack Simpson

Special Notes