The senior lit the lamp 49 times and racked up 83 points over his 31 games, and Simpson was named a Mr. Hockey Finalist for his efforts. His 49 goals were the most in the state, and Simpson helped the Sabers win 24 total games – including their first section championship in Class 2A.

While his jersey and surroundings have changed, the production hasn’t, as Simpson has made an immediate impact with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm.

Simpson has scored in three straight games, five of his past six and for a team that’s hoping to make a deep playoff run, the left-shot forward has been a welcomed addition.

“I’ve just been super excited to do what I can and help make our team better,” he said. “I knew some of the guys from my time here last year, which helped, but everyone has been super nice and super helpful, and I’m just really excited to be here.”

The North Dakota commit played 31 games for the Storm last season, which bookended his high school season.

Simpson had just three points (1-2-3) over his first 12 USHL games but returned in March and finished strong. He potted six goals and added four helpers over his final 17, along with two assists in the playoffs.

Cooper Simpson was the 67th-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings. The Minnesota native started skating around age 2 or 3 and began playing hockey as a 5-year-old in Shakopee. “The guys love him and his opponents hate playing against him,” said Shakopee coach Calvin Simon. “He’s irritating, he scores goals and he’s so smart offensively, and he’s got a little bit of Matthew Tkachuk to his game. He’s still got some more maturing to do, but he’s already grown a lot and the sky’s the limit for him.” (MHM Photo / Christine Wisch)

That experience gave Simpson an idea of what all the USHL entails, and combined with another year of high school hockey, it’s paying dividends now.

“You can tell he’s way more mature and he just knows what to expect, and you can tell he’s playing with more confidence because of it. But I also think it’s a testament to some of the hard times he went through last year,” said Tri-City coach Marco Trevino. “Even from the start of last season to when we got him back after his high school season, he was a much better overall player. He was much stronger and his growth and development were evident.

“Then you look at this season, he was a leader for Shakopee and he’s someone that his teammates respect. That leadership has definitely shown through here, and when you combine that with the type of player he is, we’re definitely excited.”

Immediate impact
Trevino took over for the Storm in early December and was an assistant last season. Tri-City started this season with Mark Abalan behind the bench, who was fired after 24 games.

Despite spending last spring with the Storm, Simpson opted to stay in Minnesota this past fall and prepare for his high school season. However, getting him back for the stretch run was one of Trevino’s top priorities.

Cooper Simpson is averaging 0.86 points per game, which ranks third on Tri-City’s roster. The 18-year-old forward continues to impress with his offensive instincts. “Coop had a great high school season and he developed so much at Shakopee, and that’s been great for his career. But we’re really happy to reap the benefits here down the stretch,” said Tri-City coach Marco Trevino. “We know he wants to be here, we know he wants the puck on his stick and we know he wants to win.” (Photo courtesy of the Tri-City Storm)

Simpson’s return came at a good time too, especially for a team that’s scuffled offensively. Tri-City (28-28-3-1) has since clinched a playoff spot and, individually, Simpson has points in six of his first seven games.

“We feel he’s a weapon and he’s added an instant scoring threat to our lineup, which has been much needed,” Trevino said. “It’s almost like we added a bonus player after the deadline, and Cooper is just such a gifted player.

“He can hunt pucks, he can knock guys off the puck, he plays with speed, and he’s a very competitive kid. So he’s someone we’ve been able to insert in our top six and adding him to the lineup has helped some of our depth scoring too. We’ve wanted to put him in a position to be comfortable and have success, and his confidence level is through the roof right now.”

Tourney success leads to playoff push
Tri-City enters the final week of the regular season with 60 points, two behind Fargo for fifth in the USHL’s Western Conference. The Storm will open the playoffs on the road next Monday at either Waterloo or Sioux City.

After winning their first-round series against Sioux Falls last spring, there’s a desire to go even further this time around. Especially for returning players like Simpson.

However, a playoff run would be a cherry on top of what’s already been a tremendous winter for Simpson.

The Sabers finished the regular season with a 19-5-1 record, won their section final and advanced to the state tournament for the second time in program history (Class 1A in 2005). Shakopee fell in the state quarterfinals to St. Thomas Academy at Xcel Energy Center but beat Andover and Lakeville South in the consolation bracket.

Cooper Simpson, shown here playing on Hockey Day Minnesota, grew up a Wild and Penguins fan, and he’s idolized Sidney Crosby. Simpson labeled himself as a “dynamic offensive player,” but he’s also tried to focus on his overall game this season. “I can make a play out of nothing, I can shoot to score and I can make a pass anywhere, but I can play defense and shut guys down too,” he said. (MHM Photo / Christine Wisch)

Results aside, it was a tremendous year for Shakopee, which also hosted Hockey Day Minnesota and was featured on Dream State.

“I’d say this was probably the most special team Shakopee’s ever had and the most special season I’ve ever been a part of,” said Simpson, who was both the Sabers’ leading scorer and captain. “Obviously, we wish we could’ve gone a little further and won (a state title), but it was just a special season and we had a lot of accomplishments as a group.”

Added Shakopee coach Calvin Simon: “It’s been really special seeing everything manifest for him this season. He prioritized his hometown, he prioritized playing with his childhood buddies and putting our program on the map, and he rose to the occasion over and over again. He’s what I’d call a trailblazer for a program, and he was such a good leader and brought so much to our team beyond being a pure goal scorer.

“So, to see him have success in high school and now continue to have success in the USHL, it’s great seeing a kid like him get rewarded. But honestly, I’m not surprised, and I believe he’ll continue that in the NCAA and beyond. He’s just a special kid, a special player and a great teammate, and he’s had an incredible season.”

At the same time, Simpson hopes his season is far from complete, and he returned to Kearney with the goal to win.

“Our No. 1 goal right now is to win the Clark Cup,” Simpson said. “I think the experience we gained here last year has helped a lot, and we’ve been in this environment before. But we believe in the group we have and our goal is to go on a run here.”

The post Scorin’ Simpson appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

However, his impact to the Tri-City lineup can’t be measured by his stat line alone.

Roed is wearing a letter, setting an example as a second-year player and has blossomed into one of Tri-City’s most dependable forwards, and he’s centering the top line as a result.

“I think I’ve been playing the right way, and I’m just trying to do whatever my team needs me to,” Roed said. “I’d say my skating is probably my best attribute, so I’ve just tried to use my legs and play fast and play a 200-foot game, and that’s what’s been working so far.”

Whatever Roed has been doing through the first three months, he better not change a thing, and he’s continuing to look more comfortable and confident in a league as talented as the USHL.

Roed played in 25 USHL games last season, along with six in the playoffs. He appeared in 16 of those games before returning to Minnesota in November, where he eventually captained White Bear Lake to a Class 2A state tournament appearance – an experience he called one of the best of his life.

Roed returned to Kearney after his high school season, too, playing in nine more games for the Storm and those above-mentioned six playoff contests.

While it was a lot of hockey, and an adjustment at times, it provided plenty of valuable experience along the way.

Nolan Roed racked up 15 points (6-9-15) over 25 games for the Storm last season, along with six points (4-2-6) in six playoff games. “If he keeps doing what he’s doing on the defensive side of the puck, I think everything else will take care of itself and he’ll keep getting rewarded (offensively),” said Tri-City coach Marco Trevino. “He comes to work every day and he practices how he plays, and he’s always excited to be at the rink. He’s usually one of the first guys here and last ones to leave, and he has all the habits you want to see in a young player.” (Photo courtesy of Tri-City Storm / Eldon Holmes)

“Last year was huge, and honestly, coming into the (USHL) was really eye-opening,” Roed said. “It showed you how fast the pace is and how strong guys are, and how much work you have to put in if you want to be on top of your game. So coming into this year when you look back at (last season), that experience really helped.

“You kinda know what to expect, and I spent the summer trying to get faster and stronger, and you really try to learn from everything you go through and come back better.”

That difference is showing.

“Nolan’s skating is so good, and he creates a lot of opportunities for himself and space for others because of it, and he’s a really smart player,” said Tri-City head coach Marco Trevino. “He’s really developed into a true No. 1 center for us, but even last year when he was with us before and after his high school season, he played second-line center as a rookie – which isn’t easy to do.

“Even when there’s tough matchups, he’s been able to be responsible defensively and he’s continued to produce offensively too, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked. I just think we’ve seen a ton of growth with Nolan since he first got here, and he’s put such an emphasis on improving his overall game.”

Chris Anderson coached Roed for three seasons at White Bear Lake, with the first two as an assistant coach and last season as the head coach.

“He’s just a tenacious kid, and he’s really solidified himself as a 200-foot player,” Anderson said. “Obviously, he’s not the biggest kid size-wise, but he never gives up on pucks and is always willing to go into corners or battle, and he’s got a scoring touch to his game too.”

Nolan Roed scored 33 goals and added 25 assists over 30 games last season for the Bears. “He’s a gamer and it doesn’t matter if he’s in the offensive zone or his own zone, he plays hard all the time,” said White Bear Lake coach Chris Anderson. “He plays the game the right way and, don’t get me wrong, he was good when I first saw him. But he improved his game so much here and he’s such a mature kid, and goes about everything the right way on and off the ice. He’s such a good leader and he’s someone I just have so much respect for.” (Photo courtesy of Brennan Schachtner Photography)

Roed, who turned 19 this past October, enjoyed a tremendous high school season last winter, netting 33 goals and racking up 58 points. Roed captained the Bears to 20 wins, including a win over Hill-Murray in the Section 4 championship game.

While Roed said the decision to return for his high school senior season was a “no-brainer” and he’ll forever cherish playing with his childhood friends, it was difficult leaving Tri-City.

His older brother, Lleyton, played for the organization during the 2021-22 season, and Nolan “appreciated the opportunity” he was getting with the Storm, and he enjoyed the challenge that comes with playing in the USHL.

However, he didn’t accomplish what he wanted over his first two high school seasons, and it’s safe to say his decision has paid off.

Roed still spent almost half of last season with the Storm, too, and for a roster that featured so many new faces and a new head coach, he was looking to earn a leadership role this season, as well as contributing on the ice.

Roed was named one of Tri-City’s assistant captains earlier this month, and Trevino – who replaced Mark Abalan as Tri-City’s head coach on Dec. 3 – called him a “big leader” and “great kid.”

“We didn’t have many returners coming into this season, and obviously a new coach on top of it, so I knew as a second-year guy I could play a big role from a leadership aspect,” Roed said. “I’ve really tried to take that on and lead by example with the young guys, and getting named an assistant captain was really special.

Nolan Roed (right) alongside his older brother Lleyton (left), who currently plays for the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. “We still talk pretty close to every day whether it be about life, hockey or whatever,” Nolan said. “He’s been the guy I’ve looked up to my whole life and he’s gone through kinda the same path I’m on right now, so he’s really helped me. He’s always there to answer questions or give me advice, and he’s playing pro hockey now. He’s someone I’ve been able to learn so much from.” (Photo courtesy of Nolan Roed)

“Especially for an organization with the culture we have here, it’s a huge honor and I’m glad to see that everything is paying off.”

His work is paying off on the score sheet, too, and more people are certainly taking notice.

“I don’t think many people understand how talented and smart of a player he is, and to be honest, I don’t understand how he wasn’t an NHL pick (last summer) after how he did with us and in his high school season,” Trevino said. “I’m sure someone will nab him this year though and it’s a no-brainer for me.”

Roed hopes to make that come true, and the St. Cloud State commit wants to finish this season strong before joining the Huskies.

Roed’s goal is to continue focusing on the fine details of his game and simply “keep playing the right way,” especially defensively. The adjustment to the USHL was “eye-opening” at first, but he’s used the experience to his advantage and is quickly proving himself this season.

“It’s been a good year so far, but I want to come back from the break and keep working on my game and preparing myself (for the next level),” Roed said. “(Doing something with) hockey has honestly always been my plan, and I’ve just tried to keep pushing every day.

“I’ve always had the mindset that if I keep doing things the right way, things will work out in my favor, and I’ve always wanted to play college hockey and then see where that takes me. There really hasn’t been a backup plan, and I just want to keep working every day.”

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