Penguins Cup Chronicles: Ulf Samuelsson

Ulf Samuelsson made an impact — literally — on the Penguins' Stanley Cup hopes.

The physical defenseman came to the Penguins in March and, along with Ron Francis and Grant Jennings, helped strengthen the team's defense.

"I think everyone knew what a tremendous top-end skill there was with Mario (Lemieux) leading the way and just that they were lacking a few pieces there," Samuelsson said recently. "And I think the trade worked out good for the team because myself and Grant Jennings helped cure up the back end of it, and Ron Francis obviously played that second-line center behind Mario.

"That's a pretty good one-two punch, so the makeup of the team looked really good after we got there."

Physically, Samuelsson relished the chance to punish opponents. His devastating hit on Bruins right wing Cam Neely — a longtime rival from his time in the Adams Division — in Game 3 helped turn the tide in the Wales Conference finals.

"That hit comes up quite frequently. He was like any other top forward. That was usually my assignment, to try to eliminate the top scorer from scoring," he said. "So, my methods were, at the time, most of them were legal and pushed the envelope a little bit as far as you could take it, but it was like a different game-plan for each top line. Particularly with that line, it seemed like physical play really bothered those guys, so that was something that we focused on."

Samuelsson scored what proved to be the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 6 of the Final against Minnesota on a floating wrist shot from the point.

"It was at the end of a power play there, and I had no other plays. So, I just threw it at the net, and there was a lot of traffic and it found its way in," he said. "It wasn't one of my harder shots."

Q&A with ulf samuelsson

On the change from Hartford to Pittsburgh:

I really enjoyed my time in Hartford. I really wasn't thinking much about the atmosphere or stuff like that. But one thing I did recognize when I came to Pittsburgh is people loved a good, solid defensive player. So, that was something I'd been doing the previous seven years in Hartford and got some recognition for it, but in Pittsburgh, people really loved it, and that to me was very exciting.

On jumping right into the Patrick Division race:

When we got there, the team was out of the playoffs, if I'm not mistaken. There was no messing around that time of year where everyone was competing extremely hard for those playoff spots. And we got thrown right into it. It was perfect.

On the abuse he took and dealt out:

Well, it's give and take. If you give a hit, you've got to take a hit. I certainly received my fair share of bruises and welts and broken bones and stitches like everyone else. That's just part of the game.

On breaking his right hand in the playoffs:

My right hand was really, really kind of a dumb thing to do. It was late in the game, and someone shot the puck down for icing. It came whistling by my head there, so I stuck my hand up and tried to stop it with my hand, and that's how it broke.

On battling the stereotypes of being a European player:

Maybe early, but I think some players like Borje Salming and that generation took most of the hit. Maybe in my very first few years, I think maybe, but particularly with the style I played as well, didn't make some tough Canadian boys feel like a chicken(crap) Swede running around and hitting them hard, you know.

On playing in the postseason with his father ill at home in Sweden:

Anything like that is hard to deal with. You have to really dig down deep and really focus in on playing. It was certainly a hard time in my life.

On the familiarity with the Boston Bruins:

The old Adams Division, you probably played them one or two exhibition (games) and, I don't know how many, eight or 10, regular season, then I think we had a year in the playoffs against them, too. You're real familiar with those guys, and when you play someone that much, you can build up some good rivalry.

On any extra satisfaction in recording a goal and an assist vs. the Bruins in Game 5:

No, the only time it felt really good was when you lifted that Cup. All the small things you did, good or bad, leading up to it are just part of the journey. But the big prize is all that matters.

On the feeling of raising the Stanley Cup over his head:

It was like, this is why you work out in the summer, this is why you go through a long, grueling season, and this is why you play the playoffs, to be able to finally be the one and realize that you've accomplished, after a real long journey, this phenomenal goal. It's something that I wish every player that plays hockey could experience. It's truly something you can't really put in words.

On what stands out the most from the 1990-91 season:

It was really so quick. We got there at the deadline and, a few months later, we got the Stanley Cup. I think everything happened so quick, and I think it took two weeks after the season to realize what we'd done. When you're in it, you're so focused, you're just so determined and you really don't give yourself time to enjoy it. I think the camaraderie and the relaxed atmosphere with the Penguins was one of the key ingredients in us being successful.

Additional Information:

Ulf Samuelsson

ACQUIRED: March 4, 1991 • Hartford trades Samuelsson, F Ron Francis and D Grant Jennings for F John Cullen, F Jeff Parker and D Zarley Zalapski.

PENGUINS DEBUT: March 5, 1991, vs. Vancouver

PENGUINS 1990-91 STATS: 14 games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, 37 PIM

PENGUINS CAREER STATS: 277 games, 11 goals, 83 assists, 94 points, 804 PIM

WHAT HE'S UP TO NOW: Associate coach for the Phoenix Coyotes