Michael Simpson has been awarded the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding goaltender in the Memorial Cup tournament.
It’s not the trophy he wanted, but winning the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy recognized as the Memorial Cup’s most outstanding goaltender, is a gratifying way to end your major junior hockey career.
Michael Simpson is the third goaltender in London Knights history to win this award, following in the footsteps of Tyler Parsons in 2016, and North Bay Battalion GM Adam Dennis in 2005.
The most notable goaltenders to have won this award and go on to have successful NHL careers are Stanley Cup Champion Jordan Binnington (In 2011 with the Owen Sound Attack), Martin Jones (2010 with the Calgary Hitmen), Felix Potvin (1991 with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens), and Mike Vernon (1983 with the Portland Winterhawks).
The London, Ontario native playing for his hometown junior team led all Memorial Cup goaltenders in goals-against average (2.50) and save percentage (.917). This clearly was redemption for him after he posted a 4.19 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in the 2023 Memorial Cup tournament as a member of the Peterborough Petes.
In all fairness to him, he faced a ton of shots at last year’s tournament (180), averaging around 36 shots against him per game.
After allowing 10 goals in his first five periods of the 2023 tournament, he turned it around and posted a .925 save percentage in Peterborough’s last three games. And was a major factor in their tiebreaker win over the tournament hosts, Kamloops Blazers.
This year in Saginaw, he got off to a much better start, posting a 31-save shutout in London’s tournament opener. It was a strong showing in the crease for Simpson from then on.
Even in the Knights’ loss in the Finals to the Saginaw Spirit, Michael had to be rock solid and kept London in the game as his team in front of him had zero jump and at times hung him out to dry. The shots were 20-2 before London scored their first goal.
Simpson leaves the OHL with a decorative career. He won back-to-back OHL Championships, playoffs MVP last year with Peterborough, and now the 2024 Memorial Cup’s best goaltender award.
He doesn't have a professional contract signed for next year. However, since his season has now concluded, I'm sure he and his agent will receive multiple phone calls from AHL or even NHL teams offering him a contract.