Florida’s 2021 First-Round Pick Led Michigan to Frozen Four in Back-to-Back Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 8, 2023
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Mackie Samoskevich on a three-year, entry-level contract.“Mackie is a creative, dynamic playmaker who possesses an elite shooting ability and high hockey IQ,” said Zito. “We’re excited to sign him to our organization and to see him take the next step in his progression as a professional.”
Samoskevich, 20, joined Florida’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, on a professional tryout (PTO) following his sophomore campaign with the University of Michigan. He notched two assists in two regular season games and four helpers over seven Calder Cup playoff contests with the Checkers, tied for the second-most playoff assists on the team.The 5-foot-11, 191-pound forward skated in 39 NCAA games with Michigan in 2022-23, ranking second on the Wolverines in goals (20) and third in points (20-23-43) to help the school to their second consecutive Big Ten championship. He scored in overtime against Penn State University in the second round of the NCAA tournament on March 26 to propel Michigan to the Frozen Four for the second consecutive year.
The Newtown, Conn., native has appeared in 79 total games with Michigan over two seasons (2021-22 to 2022-23), amassing 72 points (30-42-72). In his first season with the Wolverines, he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after producing 29 points (10-19-29) over 40 total games. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after posting four points (3-1-4) over four tournament games to help Michigan capture its first Big Ten title since 2016.
Prior to his collegiate career, Samoskevich appeared in 85 United States Hockey League (USHL) games over parts of three seasons (2018-19 to 2020-21) with the Chicago Steel, recording 73 points (26-47-73). In his final USHL season, he produced 10 points (1-9-10) over eight postseason games to help the Steel earn a Clark Cup championship.Selected by Florida in the first round (24th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Samoskevich represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship and the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
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