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Samu SalminenCharlotte Checkers
© Photo: Dan Hickling

Finland flagSamu Salminen

#43 Charlotte Checkers / AHL - 26/27

Date of Birth
Apr 09, 2003
Age
23
Place of Birth
Helsinki, FIN
Nation
Finland
Youth Team
Jokerit
Position
C/LW
Height
190 cm / 6'3"
Weight
93 kg / 205 lbs
Shoots
L
Contract
27/28
  • NCAA (Championship) Winner1
  • NCAA (NCHC) Champion1
Samu Salminen Facts
Cap Hit
$980,000Powered byPuckPedia
NHL Rights
Florida Panthers / Signed
Drafted
2021 round 3 #68 overall by New Jersey Devils
Agency
Premium
The hallmark of his game is his intelligence. Salminen sees plays developing several steps in advance and plans his every step accordingly, whether he has possession or not. He has that goal-scorer’s knack for finding the right place to set up shop, and his one- and two-touch finishing game never fails him. He’s every bit the credible shooting threat without the puck as he is with it. -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide

Brothers: Saku Salminen & Sami Salminen

A very skilled and smart playmaker who recognizes and uses empty space really well

— EPRinkside.com 2021
Samu Salminen Statistics
STeamLeagueGPGATPPIM+/-PostGPGATPPIM+/-
2017-2018Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja Q151210226-
2017-2018Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja18571222-Playoffs52020-
2018-2019Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja Q151623396-
2018-2019Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja5414182-Playoffs778156-
2018-2019Jokerit U18U18 SM-sarja3318183632-Playoffs10110-
2018-2019Finland U16 (all)International-Jr14913226-
2019-2020Jokerit U18U18 SM-sarja7815236-
2019-2020Jokerit U20U20 SM-liiga23713201012
2019-2020Finland U17WHC-1753256-
2019-2020Finland U17 (all)International-Jr1253814-
2020-2021Jokerit U20 "A"U20 SM-sarja171016261012
2020-2021Finland U18 "C"WJC-18772924
2021-2022Jokerit U20 "C"U20 SM-sarja441929483412Playoffs20000-3
2021-2022Finland U20 (all)International-Jr20000-1
2022-2023Jokerit U20U20 SM-sarja100000
2022-2023Univ. of ConnecticutNCAA279817144
2023-2024Univ. of ConnecticutNCAA3571017353
2024-2025Univ. of DenverNCAA441018282421
2025-2026Univ. of Denver "A"NCAA431118292122
2026-2027Charlotte CheckersAHL------
Samu Salminen Career Totals by League
LeagueSeasonsGPGATPPPGPIM+/-SeasonsGPGATPPPGPIM+/-
AHL1-------0
International-Jr3281416301.0720-1*0
NCAA41493754910.6194500
U16 SM-sarja223921301.3024-21298171.426-
U16 SM-sarja Q2302833612.0312-0
U18 SM-sarja2402633591.4838-110111.000-
U20 SM-sarja (U20 SM-liiga)4853658941.115436120000.000-3
WHC-17153251.006-0
WJC-18177291.29240

* Some data is missing to provide a correct summary.

Samu Salminen Career Totals by Team
TeamSeasonsGPGATPPPGPIM+/-SeasonsGPGATPPPGPIM+/-
USA flagCharlotte Checkers1-------0
Finland flagFinland U16 (all)114913221.576-0
Finland flagFinland U17153251.006-0
Finland flagFinland U17 (all)1125380.6714-0
Finland flagFinland U18177291.29240
Finland flagFinland U20 (all)120000.000-10
Finland flagJokerit U162533754911.7236-21298171.426-
Finland flagJokerit U182402633591.4838-110111.000-
Finland flagJokerit U204853658941.115436120000.000-3
USA flagUniv. of Connecticut2621618340.554970
USA flagUniv. of Denver2872136570.6645430
Samu Salminen Career Highlights
SeasonAwards
2017-2018
2018-2019
2020-2021
2021-2022
2025-2026
Transactions
DateStatusFromTo
ConfirmedUniv. of DenverFlorida Panthers
ConfirmedUniv. of ConnecticutUniv. of Denver
ConfirmedJokerit U20Univ. of Connecticut
Samu Salminen Biography and Trivia

Drafted 2020, 7 #106 by Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL Entry Draft
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #44 by Elite Prospects
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #111 by FCHockey
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #66 by TSN/Craig Button
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #98 by McKeen's Hockey
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #46 by TSN/McKenzie
2021 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #12 by NHL Central Scouting