Mattias Samuelsson

Mattias Samuelsson (born March 14, 2000) is a Swedish–American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey with Western Michigan University.

Playing career

Junior Samuelsson was drafted by the Sarnia Sting in the fourth round of the 2016 Ontario Hockey League draft, but chose not to play there.

College After originally committing to the University of Michigan, Samuelsson de-committed and went to Western Michigan University instead. He played two seasons at Western Michigan, where he recorded seven goals and 19 assists. He was an alternate captain for the team in his sophomore year, despite being the youngest player on the team.

Professional Samuelsson was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres on March 25, 2020.

Samuelsson made his NHL debut with the Sabres on April 18, 2021, in a 4–2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On October 12, 2022, he was signed to a seven-year, $30 million contract extension. Samuelsson scored his first NHL goal on November 30, in a 5–4 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.

On February 4, 2024, Samuelsson was ruled out for the rest of the 2023–24 season due to an injury sustained in a January 23 game against the Anaheim Ducks. During the season he recorded one goal and six assists for seven points in 41 games.

International play In 2016, at the second Winter Youth Olympics, Samuelsson captained team USA and won gold in the boys' tournament. Samuelsson played three seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He was part of the team that won the silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and was captain of the team at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Personal life Samuelsson's father, Kjell, played 14 seasons as an NHL defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. His mother Vicki is a Pennsylvania native.

He and his siblings were raised in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. At Western Michigan, Samulesson played alongside his older brother Lukas.

Samuelsson grew up modeling his game after that of longtime NHL defensemen Mattias Ekholm

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2015–16 Northwood School USHS 47 14 15 29 18 — — — — — 2016–17 U.S. National Development Team USHL 30 5 5 10 26 — — — — — 2017–18 U.S. National Development Team USHL 23 4 10 14 64 — — — — — 2018–19 Western Michigan University NCHC 35 5 7 12 37 — — — — — 2019–20 Western Michigan University NCHC 30 2 12 14 41 — — — — — 2020–21 Rochester Americans AHL 23 3 10 13 12 — — — — — 2020–21 Buffalo Sabres NHL 12 0 2 2 4 — — — — — 2021–22 Rochester Americans AHL 22 2 13 15 16 — — — — — 2021–22 Buffalo Sabres NHL 42 0 10 10 16 — — — — — 2022–23 Buffalo Sabres NHL 55 2 8 10 20 — — — — — 2023–24 Buffalo Sabres NHL 41 1 6 7 26 — — — — — 2024–25 Buffalo Sabres NHL 62 4 10 14 22— — — — — 2025–26 Buffalo Sabres NHL 78 13 28 41 28 13 3 4 7 2NHL totals 290 20 64 84 116 13 3 4 7 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM2016 United States YOG 6 0 1 1 0 2018 United States U18 7 1 1 2 6 2019 United States WJC 7 0 0 0 0 2020 United States WJC 6th 5 0 0 0 6Junior totals 25 1 2 3 12

Awards and honors Award Year RefCollege NCHC Honorable Mention All-Star Team 2020