Catching Up with Jonah De Simone ‘18, An On-Ice Body Double in Heated Rivalry
By Zach Lawton
When Jonah De Simone ’18 left CDS in Grade 10, his path was set on ice. A standout athlete who moved from the CDS Cyclones to the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs and eventually the University of Guelph Gryphons, Jonah has always been defined by his determination and friendly personality. However, after a series of concussions playing university hockey, Jonah decided that it was time for a priority shift from hockey to his accounting degree.
But for Jonah, the end of his competitive career wasn't the end of his relationship with the game. Instead, it was the beginning of a unique opportunity on a hockey show, a portion that was filmed in Guelph, that brought him attention both on campus and across Canada.
Last summer, while transitioning away from hockey and focusing on his third year of accounting at the University of Guelph, Jonah heard of an interesting opportunity. A new Crave series, Heated Rivalry, was looking for experienced hockey players to help with the production of the show.
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Based on the bestselling novel by Rachel Reid, the show required high-level skating that the actors simply couldn't replicate. Jonah was ultimately cast as the on-ice body double and technical consultant for the lead character Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams.
"I wanted to represent the game faithfully," Jonah shared. "I knew there would be critical eyes watching, and I wanted to give them the least amount of things to pick out as possible."
Jonah’s influence went beyond just skating; he served as a bridge between the "hockey world" and the "film world." When Hudson Williams asked Jonah for unique hockey moves or mannerisms he could replicate, Jonah taught him how to "chirp" opposing players and shared the typical stretches used before a match. Most notably, Jonah taught Hudson the classic on-ice groin stretch that Williams later performed during an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Watching a ‘somewhat’ new friend and colleague perform a warm-up he shared on international television was, as Jonah puts it, “a surreal experience.”
While the glitz of the film industry is new, Jonah has always contemplated life after competitive hockey. Despite interviews with CBC, CTV News, and various newspapers, he remains laser-focused on his goal of becoming a CPA. Interestingly, he credits his career choice to a specific moment at one of our Senior School Academic Fairs.
"I’ve been meaning to connect with Ms. Aldoroty," Jonah says, recalling his former business teacher. "She was a big reason why I chose accounting as my major. I still reflect on the presentations she gave us about accounting careers back when I was starting to look at electives. It was really effective at helping me to choose my path."
For Jonah, the Heated Rivalry experience was deeply personal. The production was a family affair; his mother, Marah, appeared as an extra, and his late cousin, Sam Willetts, worked on the crew as a lighting technician. The show’s success has become bittersweet for his family. There is a tribute to Sam in the season finale’s credits.
The move into the arts also provided some fun irony within the De Simone family. While Jonah was known for his presence on the ice and in the gym at CDS, his sister Trinity De Simone ’15 (who performed in CDS productions, including Ahead by a Century, One Man Two Guvnors and Rounded With a Sleep) was more involved in music and drama. Now living in the UK, Trinity is immensely proud of her brother’s unexpected foray into the arts world. Jonah notes that she finds the international buzz hilarious, especially as she hears local podcasters in England discussing the show he helped bring to life.
Despite his rising profile—and the occasional request for a selfie on the Guelph campus—Jonah remains a Cyclone at heart. He still makes time for the CDS Alumni Hockey Game every year and offered these words of encouragement for this coming Monday’s Winter Game Day at the Zancor Centre: “Go Cyclones!”
As he prepares for a potential accounting internship this summer, Jonah is open to returning for Season 2 if schedules align.
Congratulations, Jonah!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
