Mattias Samuelsson

Mattias Samuelsson
Samuelsson at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics
Born	(2000-03-14) March 14, 2000 (age 25) Voorhees, New Jersey, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Buffalo Sabres
NHL draft	32nd overall, 2018 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2021–present

Mattias Samuelsson (born March 14, 2000) is a Swedish-American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played collegiately at 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. ^[1]

College

After originally committing to the University of Michigan, Samuelsson de-committed and went to Western Michigan University instead. ^[2] He played two seasons at Western Michigan, where he recorded seven goals and 19 assists. ^[3] He was an alternate captain for the team in his sophomore year, despite being the youngest player on the team. ^[4]

Professional

Samuelsson was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2018 NHL entry draft. ^{[5] [6]} He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres on March 25, 2020. ^[7]

Samuelsson made his NHL debut with the Sabres on April 18, 2021, in a 4–2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. ^{[8] [9]}

On October 12, 2022, he was signed to a seven-year, $30 million contract extension. ^{[10] [11]} Samuelsson scored his first NHL goal on November 30, in a 5–4 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings. ^[12]

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. ^{[13] [14]}

International play

In 2016, at the second 2016 Winter Youth Olympics, Samuelsson captained team USA and won gold in the boys' tournament. ^[15] 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, ^[16] and was captain of the team at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^{[17] [18]}

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. ^{[19] [20]} His mother Vicki is a Pennsylvania native. ^[21] At Western Michigan, Samulesson played alongside his older brother Lukas. ^[22]

Samuelsson grew up modeling his game after that of longtime NHL defensemen Mattias Ekholm ^[2] and Victor Hedman. ^[23]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
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		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				212	7	36	43	88		—	—	—	—	—

International

Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
Winter Youth Olympics
	2016 Lillehammer
World Junior Championships
	2019 Canada
World U18 Championships
	2018 Russia

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016	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	6
Junior totals					25	1	2	3	12

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
NCHC Honorable Mention All-Star Team	2020

References

1. Isaac, Dave (June 19, 2018). "No more holding back for NHL legacy Mattias Samuelsson". Courier-Post . Retrieved March 25, 2020.
2. Mahiban, Dhiren (June 22, 2018). "NHL Draft 2018: Big defenseman Mattias Samuelsson follows in father's footsteps". Sporting News. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
3. "Mattias Samuelsson Signs with the Buffalo Sabres". WMUBroncos.com. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
4. LaBarbour, Jourdon (June 28, 2019). "Samuelsson led by example as a freshman". Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
5. Dougherty, Tom (June 23, 2018). "From Voorhees to Sabres, Mattias Samuelsson continues family's NHL tradition". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
6. Lysowski, Lance (February 26, 2022). "Mattias Samuelsson learning how to be a consistent physical presence for Sabres". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
7. LaBarber, Jourdon (March 25, 2020). "Sabres, Samuelsson agree to 3-year deal". NHL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
8. "Mattias Samuelsson Makes NHL Debut". WMUBroncos.com. April 19, 2021.
9. Harrington, Mike (April 18, 2021). "Mattias Samuelsson's solo lap a start of big day for Sabres prospect". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
10. LaBarber, Jourdon (October 12, 2022). "Sabres sign Samuelsson to 7-year contract extension". NHL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
11. "Samuelsson signs seven-year, $30 million contract with Sabres". NHL.com. October 12, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
12. "Sabres withstand Red Wings' rally, win 5-4 in shootout". ESPN. November 30, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
13. Engel, Heather (February 4, 2024). "Samuelsson out for season, Quinn 6-8 weeks for Sabres". NHL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
14. "Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to miss rest of season". ESPN.com. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
15. Tranchina, John (April 25, 2018). "Lasting Legacy: Alumni of 2016 Youth Olympic Games Starring at U18 Worlds". USAHockey.com. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
16. "Sabres agree to sign prospect defenseman Mattias Samuelsson". ESPN. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
17. Isaac, Dave (March 25, 2020). "Voorhees' Mattias Samuelsson turns pro with Buffalo Sabres". Courier-Post . Retrieved March 25, 2020.
18. "Samuelsson to Captain USA at World Junior Championship". WMUBroncos.com. December 24, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
19. Yerdon, Joe (July 10, 2018). "Samuelsson develops physical style for Sabres similar to father Kjell". NHL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
20. Lysowski, Lance (April 30, 2021). "Sabres' Mattias Samuelsson using lessons from his father to continue NHL dream". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
21. "Team Member Spotlight: Vicki Samuelson". November 5, 2019.
22. Dougherty, Tom (June 23, 2018). "From Voorhees to Sabres, Mattias Samuelsson continues family's NHL tradition". nbcsportsphiladelphia.com. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
23. Kimelman, Adam (February 15, 2018). "Samuelsson using size, pedigree to develop into top prospect". NHL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database