Philip Samuelsson Joins Amerks Coaching Staff After Retiring As Player
The former Penguins draft pick and longtime AHL defenseman moves behind the bench in Rochester after 15 pro seasons.
Philip Samuelsson has been named an assistant coach for the Rochester Americans, joining the staff of head coach Michael Leone.
Samuelsson rounds out a coaching staff that also includes new incoming assistant coach Scott Moser and goaltending coach Neil Conway, who joined the organization last month.
Samuelsson, 35, recently wrapped a 15-year playing career as a defenseman, appearing in nearly 900 professional games. He spent his final seven seasons in Europe, playing in Czechia, Sweden, Germany and Austria.
A second-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2009 NHL Draft, 61st overall, Samuelsson logged 512 AHL games across stops with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Portland, Springfield, St. John's, Charlotte and Lehigh Valley. He collected 27 goals and 124 assists for 151 points in the league, with a cumulative plus-76 rating, and appeared in 51 Calder Cup playoff games. He also played 13 NHL games, splitting that time between Pittsburgh and Arizona.
Samuelsson is the son of two-time Stanley Cup winner Ulf Samuelsson, who also transitioned from playing into coaching. He replaces Nathan Paetsch, who left the Amerks earlier this offseason to become head coach of the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms.
Rochester opens its 71st AHL season at home on Friday, Oct. 2 against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena.
