Photo Courtesy: Allen Douglas Photography
NHL Draft

Cougars’ defenceman gets drafted by Flyers

Jul 24, 2021 | 6:01 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Ethan Samson is surely feeling the brotherly love from Philadelphia after being selected in the sixth round, 174th overall, by the Flyers in the 2021 NHL Draft Saturday.

The Prince George Cougars’ defenceman had his name called on the second day of the draft, after the first round was held on Friday.

Samson, 17, amassed 12 points (1 goal, 11 assists) in 22 games during the 2020-2021 BC Division Hub season. The Delta, BC product was the Cougars’ top scoring defenceman this past season and he led the team in assists (11), shots on goal (64), and was second in plus/minus (+3).

The 6’3”, 183-pound defenceman has played in 83 career regular season games and has compiled 19 points (3g-16a).

In the 2019-20 season, Samson was awarded the Cougars’ Brett Connolly Rookie of the Year Award after he posted seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 61 regular season games.

He was drafted by the Cougars in the third round, 65th overall, in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.

“I’m extremely excited to be drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers,” said Samson. “I would like to thank everyone of my coaches that have helped me along the way, and especially my parents for all the sacrifices they have made to get me here.”

Samson is the second Cougars defenceman in the last three years to be selected in the NHL Draft. Cole Moberg was picked by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 7th round, 194th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.