Florida Panthers' Mackie Samoskevich Commemorates Sandy Hook Tragedy

In a heartfelt tribute, Florida Panthers winger Mackie Samoskevich, hailing from Sandy Hook, Connecticut, brought the coveted Stanley Cup to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial. This monumental act honors the 20 children and six adult staff members who tragically lost their lives in the 2012 shooting. The 22-year-old athlete shared this significant moment with the community, reflecting on his roots and the impact of the tragedy that unfolded in his hometown.

Samoskevich, who recently completed his first full season in the NHL with the Panthers, scored 15 goals and added 16 assists over 72 games. While he only managed to play in four games during the Stanley Cup playoffs, during which he registered an assist, this achievement of bringing the Stanley Cup home holds a unique significance for him.

“It's definitely special to bring it here,” Samoskevich told Justin DeVellis of News12 Connecticut. He reminisced about a time in 2013 when the Boston Bruins brought the Stanley Cup to the area, recalling that he was one of the kids playing hockey in that event. “It's pretty cool to see it come full circle,” he added.

At the time of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Samoskevich and his twin sister Maddy were just children at Reed Intermediate School, locked down for four hours during the horrific event. “I just remember sitting in that dark classroom for the longest time and just not knowing what was going on. It was scary,” he recalled in a 2021 interview with Scott Wheeler of The Athletic.

Samoskevich’s connection to Sandy Hook runs deep; he and his sisters attended Sandy Hook Elementary School, and their family home was conveniently situated just a 10-minute walk away. Knowing several victims personally added a layer of significance to his actions, making the return of the Stanley Cup to the memorial a poignant tribute to those they lost.