As per a press release from his Swedish club, MoDo, '94 forward Henrik Samuelsson has decided to leave Sweden and join the Edmonton Oil Kings for the rest of the season.
This is a big add for the Oil Kings, as the 6'2" Samuelsson is one of the top Swedish prospects for the 2012 NHL draft - NHL Central Scouting ranked him #6 amongst Swedish prospects for the draft in their midseason rankings.
As an added bonus for the Oil Kings, it sounds like Samuelsson will NOT count as an import player. This is important since the Oil Kings already have their limit of two imports - forward Kristians Pelss and defenceman Martin Gernat. Samuelsson is an American citizen, grew up mostly in the United States (as he is the son of former NHL player Ulf Samuelsson) and has played for the USA internationally as part of the USNTDP.
The Oil Kings added Samuelsson to their protected list two years ago when he was living in Phoenix while his dad was assistant coach of the Coyotes. That part makes sense since the CHL uses the player's primary place of residence to determine whether or not he's an import. (This is why David Musil of the Vancouver Giants is not considered an import - because his parents moved back to Canada.) So at the time he was listed by the Oil Kings, Samuelsson was clearly a North American player and thus eligible to be listed.
But, the Samuelssons have since moved back to Sweden, where Ulf is the coach of MoDo. So, I'm a little fuzzy on why Henrik is still considered a non-import if his family's primary place of residence is now Sweden. Hopefully the details here will be fleshed out......either way though, this is a good pickup for the Eastern Conference-leading Oil Kings.
11 comments:
Nepotisim, smoke and mirrors! It's too bad a Canadian kid from western Canada can't "be given" the same favor.
Last names guarantee spots! Too bad...
Well if a Western Canadian kid was good enough to play in the WHL then he'd be playing. I don't see anything wrong with Samuelsson joining the Oil Kings.
One
Give me a break you nube...there are at least 5 western Canadian kids being shafted. Give me a break... Drink your koolaid. He's there because of daddy. Just like Lowe, just like Musil, just like Lowry, just like Habshied, and the list goes on...
Take your head out of your rear... Someone's getting favor paid in full...
Glad you support home grown local talent!!
I do take your point, but it's worth noting that Adam Lowry, Keegan Lowe, and Zach Habscheid ARE home grown local talent. Lowry has lived in Calgary since he was 7. Lowe has lived in Edmonton since he was 3. And Habscheid in Swift Current since he was 2. Those kids grew up in Western Canada and played their minor hockey here just like anyone else in the league.
Alan, point given and received. That said, it stinks of back room politics and a favor for a favor!
Support the organic homegrown variety.
It will be interesting to note who is cut prior to Jan 10 from the Oil Kings "local" roster.
Thanks again for the great blog setting....
Well you also have to consider that Keegan Lowe, David Musil, Adam Lowry all belong in this league as key contributers to their respective teams. Furthermore they are all draft picks to the NHL meaning im not the only one that knows this either. Your opinion is just as biased as anybody else's
I think the league should step in and hold a draft for his rights like they did with Musil. Done deal. Edmonton wants him bad enough, then give up a first rounder like Vancouver did to get him.
Brian
I don't know why there should be a lottery for Samuelsson. The Oil Kings properly listed him two years ago when he was playing midget in Phoenix. There is no question they acquired his rights fair and square. Any other team in the league could have listed him (or drafted him in the 2009 bantam draft) if they had wanted to.
I think nobody would argue the Oil Kings own his rights fairly. The only question is why a player whose family does not live in North America would count as a non-import.
Hey Sayu! I get it some of these players are good. I've seen them play. Lowe. Is a bubble, Habshied is terrible and there's no way he should be on that squad. He's there because of the last name and daddy. Pretty sad for the player when he comes to terms that it's over. Even worse that dad is still your coach. Lowry is genuine and in that case, a case can be made. Same holds for Musil. EOS
Alan, thanks. Another great provocative topic. You either take a stand and stick to it or go away. I like to think home grown prospects first, regardless of bloodlines and hockey politics. Wishful thinking, I know!
Man I get tired of the Lowe bashing. The kid is from the gene pool of 2 world class athletes - surprise! - he is a pretty good athlete himself. The kid's agent asked the Oilers specifically NOT to draft him. Carolina took him in the 3rd round . . . why . . .as a favour?? Please tell me what GM risks his own job for someone he may or may not have a passing relationship with? If it was a favour than he would have done it in the 7th round, not early in the 3rd. Please stop with the petty jealousy. The kid can play. Time will tell if he is an NHLer but you cannot seriously say Lowe, Lowry, Musil, Campbell Elyniuk, Landon Ferraro, Rich Sutter's kid, etc are not legitimate WHLers. Feel free to buy a clue!
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