Men's Ice Hockey | June 23, 2018
DALLAS – Western Michigan freshman defenseman Mattias (muh – tee – us) Samuelsson (Vorees, N.J./USNDTP U-18, USHL) was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday afternoon.
Samuelsson becomes the 58th player in program history to get drafted and is the second-highest overall pick in program history. Mike Posma remains the highest selection in program history, after being taken 31st overall in the 1986 NHL draft by the St. Louis Blues. Samuelsson is the first WMU hockey player to be selected in the draft by the Sabres. He recently captained USA's U-18 team to a silver medal at the 2018 U-18 World Championships. The 6-foot-4 defenseman played in all seven games, scoring a goal and tallying an assist. In all competitions with the US National Team Development Program and the U-18 team he played in 88 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 31 assists for 47 points.
The Voorhees, N.J., native was also recently named to Team USA's roster for the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase. The camp takes place July 28-Aug. 4 in Kamloops, British Columbia. Samuelsson will look to impress as he works towards earning a 6spot for the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships that take place in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
The 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman is the son of Kjell Samuelsson, who played 15 season in the NHL. Mattias is also the younger brother of current Bronco Lukas Samuelsson.
