Ulf Samuelsson
A two-time Stanley Cup champion and former New York Ranger known for his physical play.
Ulf Samuelsson is a Swedish-American former professional ice hockey defenceman known for his intense physical style and two Stanley Cup championships. Selected 67th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1982 NHL entry draft, he played significant roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. During his tenure with the Rangers, acquired on August 31, 1995, he continued a reputation as one of the league's most feared competitors. Over 1,080 career NHL games, he recorded 332 points and accumulated 2,453 penalty minutes, becoming the first European-born player to reach that milestone.
- Position
- Defenseman
- Draft Year
- 1982
- Primary Teams
- Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Phil
- Signature Record
- First European-born player with 2,000 career penalty minutes
- Nationality
- Swedish-American
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Samuelsson's playing career was defined by a reputation as 'the most hated man in hockey,' with The New York Times describing him as 'the lowest form of human being' whose style focused on 'trying to hurt you.' This intensity culminated in the 1991 Prince of Wales Conference final, where his knee-to-knee hit on Boston Bruins star Cam Neely caused myositis ossificans, contributing to Neely's early retirement. Despite the criticism from commentators like Don Cherry and opponents who viewed him as an antagonist, Samuelsson was a champion. He scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 6 of the 1991 Final against the Minnesota North Stars at 2:00 of the first period, helping Pittsburgh secure an 8–0 victory. His presence on the ice often sparked controversy, such as when Tie Domi knocked him unconscious with a punch during a Rangers game after Samuelsson repeatedly called him 'dummy,' resulting in an eight-game suspension for Domi.
In Their Own Story
The 1995 trade brought Samuelsson to the New York Rangers. On August 31 of that year, Pittsburgh traded him along with Luc Robitaille to New York in exchange for Petr Nedvěd and Sergei Zubov. He remained with the team until March 23, 1999, when he was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings for draft picks. His time in New York was brief but memorable, marked by the physical confrontations typical of his career. One such incident involved a fight where Domi landed a punch that rendered Samuelsson unconscious, highlighting the volatile nature of his style even within a new franchise. His journey to New York followed a path that included being part of the NHL All-Stars in 'Rendez-vous 87' and winning championships with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992.
Reader's Guide
Samuelsson's career statistics reflect a grueling style of play. He played 1,080 games, scoring 57 goals and 275 assists for a total of 332 points while racking up 2,453 penalty minutes. His international career faced a significant hurdle during the Nagano Olympics when he was ejected from the Swedish team after it was discovered he had received U.S. citizenship, leading to his Swedish citizenship being revoked. Sweden's appeal to the CAS was rejected. This incident was later listed as the 72nd most important international story by the IIHF in their centennial celebrations in 2008. After retiring from playing, Samuelsson transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers and holding head coaching positions with Modo Hockey and Charlotte Checkers, among others.
Did You Know?
- Samuelsson scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 6 of the 1991 Final against the Minnesota North Stars at 2:00 of the first period.
- He is the only European-born player to have accumulated 2,000 career penalty minutes in the NHL.
- During the Nagano Olympics, he was ejected from the Swedish team for having U.S. citizenship, and Sweden's appeal to the CAS was rejected.
- In a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tie Domi knocked Samuelsson unconscious with a punch after being called 'dummy' repeatedly.
- The incident involving his knee-to-knee hit on Cam Neely in 1991 contributed to Neely developing myositis ossificans and ending his career early.