Mackie Samoskevich, a winger for the Florida Panthers and a native of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, recently brought the Stanley Cup to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial. This visit served to honor the memory of the 20 children and six adult staff members who tragically lost their lives in the 2012 shooting incident.

At 22 years old, Samoskevich has made a significant mark in the NHL, having played his first full season with the Panthers during the 2024-25 season. In that time, he scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists over the course of 72 games, finishing the season with a plus-minus rating of minus-four. Although he only participated in four games during the Stanley Cup playoffs, where he recorded an assist, his journey in hockey began in the Newtown area, instilling a proud connection to his roots.

Reflecting on the emotional significance of bringing the Stanley Cup back to his hometown, Samoskevich shared his thoughts with Justin DeVellis of Moneyline, noting how special it was to commemorate this place of his childhood. He recalled that in 2013, the Boston Bruins had also brought the Cup to the area, an event he attended as a child learning the game during hockey demonstrations. Samoskevich, along with his twin sister Maddy, was a fifth grader at the time of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and their school went into lockdown for several hours. With fond memories tied to the school and having known several victims, Samoskevich's tribute underscores the lasting impact of the events that took place.

Samoskevich's connection to hockey started at a young age. He had attended Sandy Hook Elementary School, just as his sister Maddy and their older sister Melissa had, and their family residence was a mere 10-minute walk from the school. In his view, this return of the Stanley Cup serves as a powerful reminder of the community's resilience and the importance of honoring those who were lost.