AL SIMMONS SEPTEMBER 25, 1951 - OCTOBER 28, 2024

The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is saddened to hear of the passing of Al Simmons. The former Winnipeg Jr. Jet was drafted by the California Golden Seals in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. Al would go on to a 5-year pro career.

Al was an avid hockey fan his whole life from the time he started skating on ponds as a toddler. His career as a professional hockey player began in 1970 with the Winnipeg Jets, and eventually brought him to the United States where he would end up playing in various leagues for Rochester, Providence, Columbus, and Salt Lake City before landing with the Boston Bruins in the NHL. After his professional career, Al played in a men's league for decades where he met his hockey buddies who became some of his closest friends. Al was also an avid golfer, enjoying playing, watching, and reading about golf. He spent many days on the course and at the driving range, and spent some time working as a starter at Muirfield Village Golf Course in his retirement.

Allan started his college career with undergrad at the University of Manitoba. He then attended dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he met many great friends before graduating in 1980, followed by studying Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Indiana University. Al had a long and fulfilling career as an oral surgeon in Columbus until he retired in 2021.

Allan will be greatly missed by his children, Elle (Chris) Cooper, Anna (Michele Casertano) Simmons, and Abby Simmons; grandchildren, Vivian Cooper and Diletta Casertano; and numerous close friends.