Mackie Samoskevich, a winger for the Florida Panthers and a native of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, took the opportunity to honor the memories of the 20 children and six adult staff members who lost their lives in the tragic events of 2012. He brought the Stanley Cup to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial, a gesture that signifies respect and remembrance.

Samoskevich, who is 22 years old, recently completed his first full season with the Panthers during the 2024-25 campaign, registering 15 goals and 16 assists in 72 games, finishing the season with a plus-minus of minus-four. Although he participated in only four games during the Stanley Cup playoffs, where he recorded an assist, his journey in hockey began in the Newtown area, where childhood memories have significantly shaped him.

Reflecting on the impact of his visit, Samoskevich expressed his emotions after bringing the Stanley Cup to the Newtown Youth Academy, recounting how special it was to revisit a place that holds personal significance. 'The Boston Bruins brought it here in 2013, and I was one of those kids playing hockey with them, so it's pretty cool to see it come full circle,' he remarked in an interview with Justin DeVellis of Moneyline. As a former student of Sandy Hook, he remembered the grim lockdown experience during the shooting, having attended Reed Intermediate with his twin sister, Maddy, at the time. He recalled how they were caught in a dark classroom, waiting for clarity amid the uncertainty. The family's close ties to the tragic event prompted Samoskevich to pay tribute at the memorial, underscoring the profound connection he feels to the community.