Forward Dawson DiPietro and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson agree to terms.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with forward Dawson DiPietro and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson on entry-level contracts.
Dawson DiPietro
The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with forward Dawson DiPietro on a one-year, entry-level contract.
DiPietro, 24, recently completed his senior season at Western Michigan, where he was teammates with Sabres prospect Mattias Samuelsson. He tallied 29 points (12+17) in 35 games, upping his career total to 88 points (34+54) in 105 NCAA contests.
DiPietro participated in the Sabres’ annual development camp last summer. He was a member of the winning team in the 3-on-3 French Connection Tournament, skating as part of a group that included forward Tage Thompson and defensemen Jacob Bryson and Ryan Johnson.
“Dawson was excellent at our development camp last summer, where he was able to showcase his speed and skill,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said. “His high-energy, up-tempo style was an important asset for Western Michigan, and we’re excited to add his skillset to our group.”
The Medina, Ohio native said that week that he had been a fan of the Sabres and attended games in Buffalo growing up. He spoke highly of his experience at development camp.
“Nobody knows each other when you walk in, but everybody shakes your hand, everybody meets you,” he said. “It’s a family atmosphere.”
DiPietro is the second NCAA forward signed by the Sabres, following the addition of Penn State winger Brandon Biro.
Mattias Samuelsson
The Sabres have agreed to terms with defenseman Mattias Samuelsson on a 3-year, entry-level contract.
Buffalo selected Samuelsson, 20, in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft (32nd overall). He recently completed his sophomore season at Western Michigan, where he tallied 14 points (2+12) in 30 games and served as an alternate captain.
“We are very pleased with Mattias’ growth both at Western Michigan and on the international stage,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said. “He possesses a unique combination of size, speed and skill, and we look forward to working with him on his next steps as a pro.”
Samuelsson has twice represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal in 2019 and serving as captain of Team USA in 2020.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman concluded his college career with 26 points (7+19) in 65 games. He was an All-NCHC honorable mention this season and was a finalist for the conference’s Defensive Defenseman of the Year Award.
Samuelsson is the second Western Michigan player to sign with the Sabres this week, joining forward Dawson DiPietro.
“I think he’s just a presence out there,” DiPietro said of Samuelsson during development camp last summer. “He’s big guy. He’s a big body out there. He gets it done every time he’s on the ice. He doesn’t really have to say much, but he gets the job done. He’s a physical guy. He’s a guy people look up to.”