The Sabres signed their 2018 second-round pick to an entry-level contract. Here's a selection from the story:
Mattias Samuelsson took a few days to digest the sudden end to his sophomore season, then had a decision to make.
Samuelsson decided the time was right to turn pro, ultimately agreeing to a three-year, entry-level deal with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
"I think I got a lot better in my two years in college," Samuelsson said by phone. "I learned a lot. I played for a pretty legendary coach in Andy Murray. … I feel like at this point in my development, to be challenged with professional hockey players is something I need."
As was the case throughout sports, the end of Samuelsson's season developed quickly. On March 12, he and his teammates practiced in preparation to host St. Cloud State in the opening round of the NCHC Tournament the following day.
St. Cloud - already in town for the series - took the ice for practice next. By the time their session was done, the news had come out that the tournament was canceled.
"Obviously, we knew what was going on in the world," Samuelsson said. "But it all came so fast. Like, within a couple days, we were ready to play and then, like, our season was over."
Despite its untimely conclusion, Samuelsson ends his college career pleased with the growth he's shown since the Sabres selected him with the 32nd overall pick in 2018. He was touted then for his size (he's listed at 6-foot-4) and his maturity.
He continued to build on his reputation as a defenseman who can take care of his own zone - he was a finalist for the NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year Award as a sophomore - but felt he added an offensive edge to his game, too.
"I think my offensive game has been developing for the last couple years, a little bit each year," he said. "I think then just little details in the defensive zone with your stick. As you get higher in levels, your details need to get better and I think I have there."
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