Charles Robert Simmer (born March 20, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, most notably for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League, who was known for his scoring prowess.

Charlie Simmer
Mikemilburyfacingoff.jpg
Simmer with the Boston Bruins in 1985
Born (1954-03-20) March 20, 1954 (age 70)
Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for California Golden Seals
Cleveland Barons
Los Angeles Kings
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Eintracht Frankfurt
National team  Canada
NHL draft 39th overall, 1974
California Golden Seals
WHA draft 26th overall, 1974
Cleveland Crusaders
Playing career 1974–1992

Playing career

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After a junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey Association that saw him score 99 points in his only season (1973–74), Simmer was selected in the third round of the 1974 NHL amateur draft, 39th overall, by the California Golden Seals, where he joined a young field of players such as Larry Patey, Rick Hampton, George Pesut, Al McAdam and Stan Weir. He split his first three professional seasons between the Seals and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the CHL, having success in the minors but receiving limited playing time in the NHL. The Seals relocated to Cleveland in 1976, but Simmer did not receive more playing time.

He was traded in 1977 to the Los Angeles Kings, but spent the season with the Springfield Indians of the AHL, winning All-Star accolades. The next season Simmer was promoted halfway through the campaign to the Kings, and scored 21 goals in 39 games.

While with the Kings, he played left wing on the "Triple Crown Line" with Marcel Dionne and Dave Taylor, one of the most potent and famed forward lines of the era. Despite injuries costing him significant playing time, Simmer had back-to-back 56-goal seasons and was further named an NHL first team All-Star in 1980 and 1981. In the latter season, Simmer almost accomplished one of hockey's most difficult feats: scoring 50 goals in 50 games. Simmer entered his 50th game with 46 goals and scored three times to finish just shy of the mark; that same night, Mike Bossy became only the second player in NHL history to score 50 in 50.[1] Simmer scored his 50th goal the following night in his 51st game.[2] Simmer's shooting percentage of 32.75 in 1981 was, and remains, an NHL record.[3]

Simmer was traded at the beginning of the 1985 season to the Boston Bruins, where despite the cumulative effects of several injuries throughout his career, he starred for three more seasons. In 1986, Simmer won the Bill Masterton Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to hockey.

Simmer played his final NHL season, for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in 1988. He subsequently played the 1989 season for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga and, after a season off, parts of two seasons as a player-coach for the minor league San Diego Gulls before retiring.

Retirement

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Simmer finished his NHL career with 711 points (342 goals, 369 assists) in 712 career games. At the time of his retirement, he was the last active player in North American professional hockey to have played for the Seals-Barons franchise (though Dennis Maruk was the last alumnus of the franchise to play in the NHL, upon his retirement in 1989.)

He was formerly married to one-time Playboy Playmate of the Year Terri Welles; the couple had one daughter. Simmer spent years as a color commentator for the Phoenix Coyotes and the Calgary Flames on Sportsnet.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1971–72 Kenora Muskies MJHL 45 14 31 45 77
1972–73 Kenora Muskies MJHL 48 43 68 111 57
1973–74 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHA 70 45 54 99 137
1974–75 California Golden Seals NHL 35 8 13 21 26
1974–75 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 47 12 29 41 86
1975–76 California Golden Seals NHL 21 1 1 2 22
1975–76 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 42 23 16 39 96
1976–77 Cleveland Barons NHL 24 2 0 2 16
1976–77 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 51 32 30 62 37
1977–78 Los Angeles Kings NHL 3 0 0 0 2
1977–78 Springfield Indians AHL 75 42 41 83 100 4 0 1 1 5
1978–79 Los Angeles Kings NHL 37 21 27 48 16 2 1 0 1 2
1978–79 Springfield Indians AHL 39 13 23 36 33
1979–80 Los Angeles Kings NHL 64 56 45 101 65 3 2 0 2 0
1980–81 Los Angeles Kings NHL 65 56 49 105 62
1981–82 Los Angeles Kings NHL 50 15 24 39 42 10 4 7 11 22
1982–83 Los Angeles Kings NHL 80 29 51 80 51
1983–84 Los Angeles Kings NHL 79 44 48 92 78
1984–85 Los Angeles Kings NHL 5 1 0 1 4
1984–85 Boston Bruins NHL 63 33 30 63 35 5 2 2 4 2
1985–86 Boston Bruins NHL 55 36 24 60 42 3 0 0 0 4
1986–87 Boston Bruins NHL 80 29 40 69 59 1 0 0 0 2
1987–88 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 50 11 17 28 24
1988–89 Frankfurt Lions GER 36 19 32 51 68 4 1 2 3 13
1990–91 San Diego Gulls IHL 43 16 7 23 63
1991–92 San Diego Gulls IHL 1 0 0 0 0
NHL totals 712 342 369 711 544 24 9 9 18 32

International

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Medal record
Representing   Canada
World Championships
  1983 West Germany
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
1983 Canada WC   10 2 3 5 8
Senior totals 10 2 3 5 8

Awards and achievements

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References

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  1. ^ Keese, Parton (26 January 1981). "Bossy's Last-Chance Goals a Dramatic Ending to 50-Game Quest". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. ^ International, United Press (27 January 1981). "Simmer Scores 50th Goal". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  3. ^ "NHL & WHA Single Season Leaders and Records for Shooting Percentage | Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
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Preceded by Bill Masterton Trophy winner
1986
Succeeded by
Preceded by NHL Goal Leader
1980

(tied with Danny Gare and Blaine Stoughton)

Succeeded by