Sabres sign 2018 draftee Samuelsson

Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson signed with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, two years after the team drafted him. Samuelsson, who spent the past two seasons playing for Western Michigan, received a three-year, entry-level contract, the Sabres announced. No financial terms were revealed.

The Sabres used a second-round draft pick (32nd overall) on Samuelsson in 2018. He went on to register a combined seven goals and 19 assists during his time at Western Michigan, and he also played for Team USA in the IIHF World Junior Championships last year and this year. Samuelsson served as captain of the U.S. junior team in 2020.

"We are very pleased with Mattias' growth both at Western Michigan and on the international stage," Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said, according to NHL.com. "He possesses a unique combination of size, speed and skill, and we look forward to working with him on his next steps as a pro." Mattias Samuelsson is the 20-year-old son of former defenseman Kjell Samuelsson, whose 14-year NHL career included stints with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. The elder Samuelsson, a 61-year-old Sweden native, is now the Flyers' director of player development.

Another former Western Michigan player, forward Dawson DiPietro, signed a one-year, entry-level deal with Buffalo earlier this week. --Field Level Media

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