Former first round pick Henrik Samuelsson wore this alternate sweater for the Springfield Falcons in the 2015-2016 season.
Leading into 2015-2016 the young Swedish American had been on a rocket trajectory.
He won a gold medal in the U18 WJC in 2011, the WHL Championship in 2012 prior to being drafted 27th overall by the Coyotes, and then won the WHL and Memorial Cup Championship in 2014. He led the Memorial Cup in points, as well.
In 2014-2015, he scored 18 goals and 22 assists in 68 games for the Portland Pirates in his first AHL season.
He played in just 43 games for the Falcons after that stellar debut season in Portland. In fact, he never again reached the level of production he posted in his first professional season.
Henrik Samuelsson skates in this alternate sweater on February 20th, 2016. (photo credit: Springfield Falcons)
These alternate sweaters are quite sharp and my research tells me they were worn in at least 8 games in 2015-2016. Henrik played in five of those matchups I found (he was out injured for the other three) but did not tally a goal or assist in any of them.
The wear on the gamer is pretty light, but there are at least a few noticeable marks.
The right sleeve has a nice long repair on the elbow and a faint stick mark nearby. The right collarbone has a puck or stick mark above the MassMutual sponsorship patch. The FALCONS wordmark on the waist has a ton of loose threads.
The left sleeve has a burn and one pull as well as an unknown stain. The left elbow also has a nice stick mark.
The nameplate features his first initial as his brother Philip was also part of that Springfield Falcons roster.
Samuelsson became the second player who played youth/minor hockey in Arizona to be drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2012.
Henrik played for the PF Changs 16U AAA and PF Changs 18U AAA teams before his time with the USNTDP and Edmonton Oil Kings. PF Changs was the precursor to the current Jr. Coyotes program in Scottsdale.
Along with Zac Larraza, the pair remain the only homegrown products to be selected by the Coyotes.
Henrik Samuelsson is also in rare air as one of the few Arizona products to be drafted into the NHL or NWHL. The list is small but growing steadily, and it’s even larger when you factor in players who have broken into the professional ranks and might potentially make it to the NHL in the future.
His career might have taken a different path than was expected, but Henrik (and his brother Philip) remain important figures in the growth of the desert hockey movement.