Simon Creating a Strong Legacy in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – On March 3, 2023, Ben Simon joined Curt Fraser as just the second Grand Rapids Griffins head coach to reach 300 games with the organization. Currently, Simon sits second in franchise history with 140 wins. Fraser has six more wins under his belt to hold the first spot in franchise history for most wins. If things go well for the Griffins over the next 14 games, Simon will pass Fraser in the standings by the end of the season.

After being let go by the Toronto Marlies at the start of the 2015-16 season, Simon called Ryan Martin (Grand Rapids general manager at the time) and Todd Nelson (Grand Rapids head coach at the time) looking for a job. Basically, Simon told them he would do just about anything to stay relevant in the hockey world. “I said I’ll come in and just be a fly on the wall. I’ll sweep the floors. I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” explained Simon. Luckily for him, the Griffins needed an assistant coach more than they needed someone to sweep the floors of Van Andel Arena. However, I wouldn’t put it past Simon to have swept a floor or two during his coaching tenure.

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Willingness to work hard and do whatever it took to continue his career in hockey allowed Simon to have more opportunities within the organization. So, that first year eventually turned into another year as assistant and then, as Simon put it, “It kind of parlayed itself into this opportunity.”

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“Grateful” is the word Simon used the most throughout our interview to describe his feelings about the opportunities which have been given to him by former and current general managers. Then, Simon took the time to name off and thank every assistant coach and member of the front office he ever had contact with throughout his time with the Griffins stating that he’s had, “the luxury of having a really, really good support staff here”.

The kind words for the organization didn’t stop there. “We’ve got one of the best front office staffs in the league and our support staff here is probably — and I’ve been around a lot of organizations as a player or coach — without reservation or hesitation, one of, if not the best organizations in the American League,” said Simon. “So, I’m very lucky.”

Over the past 300 games, Simon has been on the hunt for “that perfect game” but hasn’t found it quite yet. In fact, he isn’t sure if he’ll ever find it. “I think every day just throws it’s different challenges at you,” said Simon. “Different players throw different curveballs at you in how we’re going to improve and develop.”

Simon went on to explain that the most important part of his job as head coach of the Griffins is developing AHL players to become successful at the NHL level. “That’s our first priority. It’s to develop players,” Simon said. “I think over the course of the last four or five years, although the wins or losses may not be reflected, I do think the players have undoubtedly improved as individuals.” It’s hard to disagree with this sentiment when players like Moritz Seider, Jonatan Berggren, and Evgeny Svechnikov have been molded under Simon’s coaching reign.

As Simon continued his reflection of the past, his hope is that when people look back on the legacy he has begun to create that they see the amount of hard work he’s put into his career. “As a player and a coach, I pride myself on my work ethic,” said Simon. “Whether or not that looks like it’s reflected in the way we play sometimes. That’s one thing I can promise; I won’t be out worked.”

Since arriving with the team on February 21, forward Riley Sawchuk has noticed the attention to detail and hard work Simon puts into everything he does. “I think he puts a lot of work into the details of the game,” said Sawchuk. Goaltender Victor Brattstrom added another thing Simon brings to the table as a coach – honesty. “I think Ben is a great coach,” said Brattstrom. “He’s honest, tough and honest. That’s what I like about him.”

Between his hard work, honesty, and reverence for every one in the Griffins organization, Simon is creating quite the legacy in both Grand Rapids and the American Hockey League.