Hockey is growing around the world, and perhaps no faster than in the United Kingdom where the EIHL is drawing more fans and better talent daily. Today, the Manchester Storm have added a player that plenty of NHL fans will be familiar with, if only because of the surname. Henrik Samuelsson, 2012 first-round pick and son of long-time NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, has signed with the Storm and will soon make his EIHL debut.
Now 25, the 6’3″ forward was selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes back in 2012 after making quite an impression in a half season for the Edmonton Oil Kings. He would go on to find great success at the junior level before turning pro and continuing his dominance in the minor leagues. In 2014-15 he recorded 18 goals and 40 points as an AHL rookie and even earned himself three games in the NHL with the Coyotes.
Unfortunately that season was the very peak of his career so far and Samuelsson has bounced around the minors ever since. Suiting up for the Springfield Falcons, Tucson Roadrunners, Bakersfield Condors, Rockford IceHogs, Idaho Steelheads and most recently the Worcester Railers, he was never able to get his NHL future back on track.
The Storm are in last place in the 10-team league, and could use Samuelsson’s help in the offensive end.
How did this guy fall so fast? 1st round pick, excellent first year in the AHL and also got 3 NHL games…then it’s like the guy forgot how to score.