Samuel Helenius

Samuel Helenius
Helenius at the 2022 World Junior Championships
Born (2002-11-26) 26 November 2002 (age 23)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Los Angeles Kings
JYP Jyväskylä
NHL draft 59th overall, 2021
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2020–present

Samuel Helenius (born 26 November 2002) is an American-born Finnish professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Kings in the second round, 59th overall, of the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Helenius played in the Jokerit junior development system in his native Finland. Moving to fellow Finnish club, JYP Jyväskylä, Helenius made his professional debut in the Liiga during the 2020–21 season.

In his first full season in the Liiga, Helenius collected seven goals and 14 points in 54 games with JYP. Helenius was selected at the 2021 NHL entry draft in the second-round, 58th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings who traded a third and fourth-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in order to move back into the second round.

On 13 August 2021, Helenius was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings.

Continuing his development in the Liiga with JYP Jyväskylä in the 2021–22 season, Helenius was named an alternate captain and posted three goals and nine points in 48 games. On 28 March 2022, Helenius left Finland and moved to North America where he was assigned by the Kings to primary American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the remainder of the season.

On 2 December 2025, Helenius signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension with the Kings through the 2027–28 NHL season.

Personal life

Born in Dallas, when his father was a member of the Dallas Stars, Samuel is the son of former NHL defenceman and enforcer, Sami Helenius. He is a dual citizen of Finland and the U.S.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2019–20 Jokerit Jr. A 5113112440 10000
2020–21 JYP Jyväskylä Liiga 54771461 —————
2021–22 JYP Jyväskylä Liiga 4836976 —————
2021–22 JYP Jyväskylä Jr. A 10110 —————
2021–22 Ontario Reign AHL 121016 —————
2022–23 Ontario Reign AHL 612121459 —————
2023–24 Ontario Reign AHL 698111953 801114
2024–25 Ontario Reign AHL 2024638 —————
2024–25 Los Angeles Kings NHL 5043725 60110
2025–26 Los Angeles Kings NHL 5354950 400014
Liiga totals 102101323137 —————
NHL totals 103971675 1001114

International

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Finland
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place2022 Canada
Bronze medal – third place2021 Canada
Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2021 Finland WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 722418
2022 Finland WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 61012
Junior totals 1332520

References

  1. ↑ "Kings sign Samuel Helenius to a three-year, entry-level contract". Los Angeles Kings. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hrenak And Lee, Along With Kim Nouisianen and Samuel Helenius Will Join Ontario Reign". Los Angeles Kings. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "Kings Sign Forward Samuel Helenius To Two-Year Contract Extension". National Hockey League. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Samuel Helenius on Elite Prospects".
  5. ↑ Lindeman, Tero (20 March 2022). "Samuel Helenius lähtee rymistelemään AHL:ään JYPin kauden päätyttyä – "Pienessä kaukalossa iso mies kerkeää paremmin"". Jatkoaika.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 25 January 2023. syntyi Dallasissa ... Minulla on kaksoiskansalaisuus. Vanha Amerikan passini