Phantoms Sign Samuelsson, Bolster Blue Line
ALLENTOWN - Just a few short months after having his season ended at the hands of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the 2018 Atlantic Division Finals, Philip Samuelsson has joined the Phantoms on a standard American Hockey League (AHL) player contract - taking part in his first team practices this week.
"It's been a good to get to know the guys here a bit, and kind of see what this organization is all about," Samuelsson told Inside AHL Hockey, adding that his deal with the Phantoms sort of came out of the woodworks - noting his agent had some talks with Philadelphia and it all came together pretty quickly. "I've played against them a number of times, and obviously they have had pretty good teams in the past. It's a real honor to be here."
Samuelsson, a member of the Charlotte Checkers last season on a similiar AHL contract, had a strong season as a key part of the blue line for a very talented Checkers D-core in 2017-18.
His AHL-leading plus 44 stat line aside, the eight-year pro has plenty of AHL experience (445 games entering 2018-19) and also much-needed post-season experience (51 career Calder Cup Playoffs games) to help steady the Phantoms' back end that also features third year pro Reece Willcox, second year pros Mark Friedman, Phil Myers and James de Haas and incoming rookie David Drake. Veteran offensive defender T.J. Brennan and fourth year pro Zach Palmquist round out the expected defense core to start the year for the Phantoms.
"Throughout the course of the season, you're going to have injuries whether it's here or up in Philadelphia. You can never have enough depth. We learned that last year," Gordon said of adding depth on defense, referencing a time when three defensemen from Reading were in the Phantoms' lineup. "That happened almost overnight, so you have to have guys that are ready. With Phil being available, he just checked a lot of boxes and it worked out for us."
With Samuelsson added on an AHL contract - announced last Thursday - the Phantoms currently carry eight defensemen. Nick Luukko was assigned to ECHL Reading prior to the start of the regular season. Here's what the Phantoms' blue line looks like heading into a weekend home-and-home series with Springfield.
T.J. Brennan - Mark Friedman James de Haas - Phil Myers Zach Palmquist - Philip Samuelsson
Injured: Reece Willcox Extras: David Drake
