Florida selected Samoskevich 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft
One of the Florida Panthers top prospects is beginning his professional career with the team's American Hockey League affiliate.
Forward Mackie Samoskevich, who Florida selected in the first-round of the 2021 NHL Draft, has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Charlotte Checkers.
He joined the club on Wednesday but won't be in the lineup for Charlotte's game at Hershey Wednesday night.
Instead, Samoskevich will make his pro debut either Friday night when the Checkers visit Lehigh Valley or Saturday when they close out their regular season schedule in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The 20-year-old just wrapped up his sophomore season at the University of Michigan, where he racked up 20 goals and 43 points in 39 games.
Last month he scored the overtime goal against Penn State that sent the Wolverines to the 2023 Frozen Four.
Michigan lost in the Frozen Four Semifinals to eventual National Champion Quinnipiac.
Samoskevich finished his collegiate career with 30 goals and 72 points over 79 games with the Wolverines.
Now he joins a Charlotte club that clinched their spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs last week and are hoping to lock up home ice during the first round.
The Checkers signed another Panthers prospect to a PTO recently, inking former University of Western Michigan standout Ryan McAllister last week.
McAllister signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers last Monday and a day later signed his PTO with Charlotte.