Lafayette native, Colorado youth hockey alum Simpson traded to NAHL’s River Hawks

The NAHL’s Grand Junction River Hawks have acquired defenseman Gabe Simpson from the Watertown Shamrocks.

The Lafayette native brings significant junior hockey experience to the River Hawks blue line. Simpson spent the 2024–25 season with the New Jersey Rockets in the NCDC, recording three goals and 15 assists for 18 points in 51 games.

Last season, Simpson moved to the BCHL, skating for the Okotoks Oilers and Prince George Spruce Kings, where he combined for three goals and five assists in 39 regular-season games.

The 2007-born defenseman also brings an impressive college pedigree to Grand Junction, having committed to continue his career at Lindenwood University at the NCAA Division I level, a first for the River Hawks organization.

Simpson adds experience, mobility and offensive ability from the back end as the River Hawks continue building their roster for the 2026–27 NAHL season.

Back home, Simpson played for the Boulder Hockey Club, DU Jr. Pioneers, Evolution Elite Hockey Academy, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and Colorado Thunderbirds before leaving Colorado to go to Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island.

Photo/Chad Goddard/Okotoks Oilers