Dylan Samberg
American defenseman drafted by Winnipeg in 2017.
Dylan Michael Samberg (born January 24, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 43rd overall by the Jets in the 2017 NHL entry draft and played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth before turning professional.
Samberg grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, as the only child of Mike and Patty Samberg. A multi-sport athlete, he played soccer, football, cross-country, baseball, and golf alongside hockey. He moved through the junior prep ranks before enrolling at Hermantown High School. During his bantam year, he switched from forward to defense to make the team. After missing most of his sophomore season with an ankle injury, he returned as a junior to captain the team and lead them to a Class A state hockey title, posting seven goals and 15 assists in 29 games. That performance earned him a draft selection by the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his senior year, he again captained the team to a second consecutive Class A state title, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime. He was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award and earned Associated Press All-State first team, All-Lake Superior Conference, and Duluth News-Tribune All-Area honors. Following the tournament, he played 14 games with the Black Hawks, recording five points and a plus-5 rating.
Samberg’s play drew attention from NHL scouts. Initially ranked as a fourth- to sixth-round prospect by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, he rose to 67th among North American skaters by the end of the 2016–17 season. The Winnipeg Jets selected him in the second round, 43rd overall, of the 2017 NHL entry draft, and he attended their development camp.
He joined the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for the 2017–18 season. Midway through his freshman year, he played for Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, helping the team win a bronze medal. At the time of selection, he had four assists and a minus-5 rating in 19 games. After returning, he scored his first collegiate goal and added eight assists, helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Division I tournament for a second straight year. He attended the Jets’ summer development camp after his freshman season.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 6 ft 4 in
- Weight
- 216 lb
- Born
- 24 January 1999
- Birthplace
- Hermantown, Minnesota, U.S.
- Position
- Defense
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Winnipeg Jets
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Samberg grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, as the only child of Mike and Patty Samberg. He played multiple sports as a youth, including soccer, football, cross-country, baseball, and golf. During his bantam year, he switched from forward to defense to make the team. At Hermantown High School, he captained the hockey team and led them to two Class A state hockey titles. In his senior year, he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to clinch the second title and was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award. He then played 14 games with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, recording five points.
Samberg played three seasons with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, helping them reach the NCAA Division I tournament. Midway through his freshman season, he represented Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a bronze medal. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Jets in April 2020 and joined their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. He made his NHL debut on January 13, 2022, recording an assist in a 3–0 win over the Detroit Red Wings. On November 23, 2024, he suffered a broken foot from blocking a shot by Steven Stamkos in a 4–1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
Reader's Guide
Dylan Samberg's significance lies in his development from a Minnesota high school standout to a professional defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets. His path included a switch from forward to defense in his bantam year, which ultimately shaped his NHL career. He led Hermantown High School to consecutive Class A state titles, scoring the championship-winning goal in double overtime as a senior, and was a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award. His collegiate career at Minnesota Duluth included a bronze medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships. Drafted 43rd overall by the Jets in 2017, he signed an entry-level contract in 2020 and debuted in the NHL in January 2022, recording his first point in that game. His professional trajectory was interrupted by a high ankle sprain in September 2021, but he recovered and became a regular call-up. His legacy is still unfolding, but his early career demonstrates a steady progression through amateur and college ranks into the NHL, with notable achievements at each level.
Did You Know?
- Samberg switched from forward to defense during his bantam year to make the team.
- He was involved in a three-vehicle collision in Minnesota in November 2020.
- Samberg suffered a broken foot on November 23, 2024, blocking a shot from Steven Stamkos.
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