Unrestricted free agent forward Jerome Samson, one of Charlotte’s top forwards over the last three seasons, has signed a new contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
Samson’s deal, the terms of which were not disclosed by the club, marks his first professional contract outside of the Carolina Hurricanes organization. The undrafted 25-year-old had spent the previous six seasons with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliates in Albany and Charlotte since completing his junior career in 2007, posting a total of 280 points (133g, 147a) in 356 games during that span.
With younger players coming in from the junior and college ranks, the Hurricanes had allowed Samson’s contract to expire on Friday and were prepared for his departure to another organization. Other unrestricted free agents who spent time in Charlotte last season include forward Tim Wallace and defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti, neither of which has signed a new contract as of yet.
During his most recent season in Charlotte, Samson was limited to just 37 games (7g, 11a) due to injury problems that began in early January, causing him to miss the 20-goal mark for the first time as a professional. The two-time AHL All-Star who scored his first two NHL goals with Carolina in 2011-12 ranks fourth all-time in Checkers points (109), goals (53) and power-play goals (17).
