Panthers hire Ulf Samuelsson as assistant coach

The Florida Panthers hired longtime NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday.

"Ulf is a knowledgeable and experienced coach who will be a great addition to the Panthers," said general manager Bill Zito. "We are excited for him to join Joel (Quenneville's) coaching staff and look forward to his competitive mentality and the impact that he can have on our team."

Samuelsson most recently served as head coach of the Swedish Hockey League's Leksands IF, while also working as a Seattle Kraken scout. He's coached the AHL's Charlotte Checkers and has been an assistant for the then-Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks, where he worked under Quenneville.

Samuelsson's NHL playing career spanned 16 seasons split among the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. The 56-year-old registered 332 points in 1,080 games, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 1991 and 1992.