Attack’s Samanski named to Germany’s preliminary National Junior Team roster

The German Hockey Federation rolled out its preliminary roster for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Wednesday, with Owen Sound Attack forward Josh Samanski on the 27-man roster.

A 6-foot-1, 172Ib. native of Erding, Germany, the 18-year-old Samanski recorded four goals, 16 assists and 20 points over 54 games in his first OHL season. The Attack signed Samanski as a free agent prior to the 2019-20 season after he put up 25 points (13-12–25) in 54 games with the GOJHL’s Brantford 99ers.

Prior to his time in North America, Samanski played his youth hockey with the Jungadler Mannheim program. He’s returned to Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic on a temporary transfer to the DEL second division’s Ravensburg Towerstars where he has an assist in four games played.

Other familiar OHL names included on Germany’s preliminary roster include former Attack forward Manuel Alberg, former Mississauga Steelheads winger Filip Reisnecker, as well as London Knights first round 2020 CHL Import Draft choice and Buffalo Sabres second round pick J.J. Peterka.

The 2021 IIHF World Juniors get underway at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. on December 25, with Germany taking on Finland.

For more on Samanski’s opportunity, visit attackhockey.com.