Last summer, one of the first free agent-acquisitions by Marc Bergevin was defenceman Philip Samuelsson, the son of NHL veteran Ulf Samuelsson. Samuelsson was to provide an element that was missing from the IceCaps’ blue line: veteran experience.
Things started off well, as he began the season on the top defensive pairing with Mark Barberio, and put up four points in the first nine games. But his offensive production suddenly ceased and there were many nights that he was simply a passenger on a team that desperately needed his experience and leadership.