Get to know UND freshman forward Cooper Simpson

Russell Hons / UND athletics By Brad Elliott Schlossman Today at 6:10 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? GRAND FORKS — UND freshman forward Cooper Simpson scored his first two collegiate goals last Saturday in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Simpson followed that up by winning the weekly UND team shootout Thursday. He spoke to the Herald this week. ADVERTISEMENT Q. What was going through your head when you saw that you scored your first collegiate goal? A. I was pretty excited. Felt good just to put the puck in the back of the net and to see it with your own two eyes. It feels good to know you're confident enough to shoot the puck and it goes in. I'm glad it happened. But, obviously, maybe I could have scored one more or two more to win the game there. Q. On your second goal, it looked like you held onto the puck a little longer to open up a bigger lane. What did you see there? A. The defenseman just didn't come at me, so I paused and froze him for one second, went around him and got the shooting lane, and went upper bunk with it. Q. How much added confidence does it give you to make two plays like that? A. Every time you shoot the puck, you hope it goes in. It's nice to see it go in the net. It feels like now you trust yourself even more to shoot the puck. Q. What have you learned from your first month of college hockey? A. The simple answer is bigger, faster, stronger. But everyone is so smart, so fast. You have to have your head up at all times and be super quick in your decisions with the puck. Russell Hons / UND athletics Q. Why did you start playing hockey? A. Growing up in Minnesota, everyone plays hockey there. My cousin got me into it growing up. He's four or five years older than me. . . maybe a little more. I grew up skating at his outdoor rink. My dad played hockey growing up, too, and two of his brothers. Growing up around the family, everyone played hockey. Christmas and wintertime, we were always together on the outdoor rinks. Put the skates on and had some fun out there. Q. If you could have dinner with one former or current hockey player, who would you choose? A. Sidney Crosby. I grew up a big fan of his. I grew up looking up to him and watching his game. Q. What are your pregame rituals? A. I don't have anything too crazy. I play sewer with all the boys for a good amount. I think it's probably the only specific thing that I do. ADVERTISEMENT Q. What's the most memorable goal you've ever scored? A. This one's pretty special here in college. I'd also say my (first) high school one, freshman year. I think those are two special goals I'll never forget. Q. What's something you're competitive in besides hockey? A. Golf, for sure. And ping pong as well. Q. What's your dream vacation spot? A. I'd say Hawaii or Greece. I've been to Hawaii one time, but it was like five years ago, so I want to go back. I've never been to Greece. I think that'd be cool. Q. What's your favorite meme? A. I don't know. I don't have an answer for that one. Q. What's your favorite childhood memory? A. I'd say family vacations. We grew up traveling a lot, so those are all special moments for me and my family. Q. What's the best food spot in Grand Forks? A. Chicago Burrito is pretty good. I like that. Q. If you were singing karaoke, what would be your go-to song? A. Something by Sam Barber. That's an easy one for me. ADVERTISEMENT Q. What's the best meal your mom or dad make? A. Hot dish from my mom. Q. What's your favorite part about your hometown, Shakopee, Minn.? A. It's a super tight community. Born and raised there, so I feel like I know a lot of people there. Wherever you go, everyone is super nice. I'm still tight with all my friends there. More UND hockey coverage How an elbow, a beer and a live TV shot made two brothers internet famous 1d ago UND looking to build defensive game against the nation's best offense 10h ago Schlossman: Analytics show where UND's defensive issues stand 2d ago Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS UND SPORTS UND FIGHTING HAWKS HOCKEY SUBSCRIBERS ONLY By Brad Elliott Schlossman Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected]. 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