Hank the Tank

Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings would like to congratulate forward Henrik Samuelsson on  his selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Samuelsson was selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes. It’s the first time in Oil Kings history that two players have been selected in the first round of the same NHL Entry Draft.  

The native of Scottsdale, Arizona joined the Oil Kings from Modo in the Swedish Elite League this season and was an integral part of Edmonton's Championship run. Samuelsson adjusted quickly back to the North American game posting 7 goals, 16 assists and a +18 rating in 28 WHL regular season games. He then went on to score 4 goals and 10 assists during Edmonton's run to the WHL Championship. Samuelsson capped his year by leading the Oil Kings in scoring at the Memorial Cup and being named a tournament all-star. The big forward was the second highest ranked Oil Kings player in the ISS final rankings at 27th.

The 6 foot 2, 195 pound winger/centreman was born in 1994 and grew up in the United States while his father, former long-time NHL blueliner,  Ulf Samuelsson finished his playing career and started his coaching career.    Samuelsson played for Team USA at both the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the World U-18 Hockey Championship.  His dad coached him earlier this year with Modo in the Swedish Elite League before he joined the Oil Kings mid-season.

Earlier in the draft the Oil Kings saw top prospect Griffin Reinhart selected 4th overall by the New York Islanders becoming the Oil Kings highest NHL draft pick in the modern era.

The Oil Kings had a franchise record four players selected at last summer’s NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota. Two players happened to go in consecutive picks in the third round with the Carolina Hurricanes selecting Keegan Lowe with the 73rd pick and the Edmonton Oilers choosing Travis Ewanyk with the 74th pick.  The next to go was Michael St. Croix in the 4th round, 106th overall to the New York Rangers. The Calgary Flames then selected goaltender Laurent Brossoit in the 6th round with the 164th pick.

Edmonton still has three ranked NHL prospects going into rounds two through seven set for tomorrow in Pittsburgh. These include power forward Mitch Moroz and defensemen Ashton Sautner and Cody Corbett. All three of these prospects will look to have their name called starting Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Edmonton time.