Kirsten Simms didn’t fall to her hometown PWHL Detroit in Wednesday’s draft, but she’s staying close to home: Toronto, a short four-hour drive she took many times as a youth hockey player.
“I’ve been making jokes since I’m from around here, it’s kind of like my backyard, but just over the border for me,” Simms said. “I’m just excited. I mean, the fan base is going to be unbelievable. I think they fill out their rink almost every single game. So what’s better than that?”
Simms and fellow Wisconsin teammates Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards and Vivian Jungels won three national championships together with the Badgers. Edwards, Harvey and Simms also won gold with Team USA in Milano-Cortina.
All are going their separate ways in the pros, but Simms is happy to see them take the next step in their hockey journey with her.
“I’m super happy for all of them, and they’re so deserving, and every team is so lucky that they’re getting a Badger on their team,” Simms said.
Some new Toronto teammates are quite familiar too: Canadian defenders Renata Fast and Ella Shelton, who she and the Americans beat for a gold medal in the Olympics.
“It’ll be nice to have them on my blue line instead,” Simms said. “So, I think I’m just pumped to get to learn from a lot of those older players. I mean, there’s so much you can soak up and learn from.
“They’ve been playing for so long, and so I think that’s what I’m most excited for, not only to learn tips and tricks on the ice, but also to learn things from them off the ice.”
First round draft picks
Detroit’s draft picks
No. 15 (Second round): Andrea Brandli, G, Switzerland
No. 22 (second round): Casey Borgiel, D, Colgate
No. 34 (third round): Mary Kate O’Brien, F, Minnesota-Duluth
No. 39 (fourth round): Kyla Josifovic, F, Connecticut
No. 51 (fifth round)
No. 63 (sixth round)
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Plymouth’s Kirsten Simms taken eighth overall by Toronto in PWHL Draft
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
