SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Philip Samuelsson has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 19, 2014.
In three games last week, Samuelsson recorded one goal, four assists and a plus-6 rating from the Penguins blue line.
On Friday night in Providence, Samuelsson was one of just six Wilkes-Barre skaters with an even or better rating (even) in a 5-1 loss to the Bruins. He came back in Saturday’s 4-2 win at Portland with a career game offensively, scoring the winning goal and establishing personal highs for assists (three) and points (four) in a game. And on Sunday afternoon at Providence, Samuelsson drew an assist on the game-winning goal and compiled a plus-4 rating as the Penguins downed the Bruins, 5-1.
Samuelsson, a second-round draft choice by Pittsburgh in 2009, has totaled three goals and 14 assists for 17 points along with a plus-14 rating in 38 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, including nine points and a plus-11 in his last six games. The third-year pro from Leksand, Sweden, has already established career highs for goals, assists and points, and he made his National Hockey League debut earlier this season with Pittsburgh, appearing in five contests. Samuelsson, 22, is a former NCAA champion at Boston College (2010) and is the son of two-time Stanley Cup champion Ulf Samuelsson.
In recognition of his achievement, Samuelsson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Penguins home game.
Also see: Past winners, AHL Player of the Week
