Home > Olympics > Gold Medalists > Mikael Samuelsson

Mikael Samuelsson

The Olympic Games, or Olympics, are an international multi-sport event taking place every four years which comprise of summer and winter games. Though the first ancient games were held in 776 B.C, the modern games started from 1896. The unity of the 5 continents is shown on the Olympic flag by five colorful intertwined rings of red, blue, green, yellow, and black, created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin to represent at least one color of the participating country’s national flag.

Mikael Samuelsson was born on December 23, 1976 in Mariefred, Sweden and is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL, National Hockey League. Samuelsson was drafted in the 5th round, 145th overall by the San Jose Sharks, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Since his NHL debut with the Sharks in 2000, Samuelsson has become something of a journeyman, having played for four teams over the course of five seasons. He was with the Sharks in 2000-01, played in four games and did not register a single point.

The following season he signed with the New York Rangers, and spent two seasons there, while racking up 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points during the two seasons he spent as a Ranger. During the 2002-03 season he was traded to Pittsburgh Penguins. But after just scoring 2 goals in 22 games the Pens traded him Florida Panthers in the summer of 2003. In the trade the Pens got the number 1 pick in 2003 NHL Entry Draft. So for the 2003-04 season, he suited up with the Florida Panthers, for whom he played 37 games, accruing 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points total.

During the NHL lockout, Samuelsson, like some 300 other NHL players, played in Europe and Russia during the lockout. Samuelsson split his time in Europe to play for Geneve-Servette HC of the Swiss Nationalliga A, and for Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elitserien. His compiled statistics from both European teams are 41 games played, 9 goals and 17 assists achieving 26 points.

With all his dedication and devotion in his play he achieved many goals in his overall athletic career. He had the ability of defeating the opponent easily by just giving some extra hard work and efforts. He never lost hope in himself and always fought hard to achieve his goal.

Back to Gold Medalists