Chicago Steel forward Mackie Samoskevich has the talent of a first-round pick, whether the NHL decides to make that sort of investment or not at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

The professional ranks may elude Samoskevich for the next few seasons, but the talent is there for him to develop into a long-term top-six option further down the road. 

First up, he's set to join an elite crop of players who have made the jump from the Chicago Steel to the University of Michigan this fall. There's the sharpshooter Brendan Brisson, a Vegas Golden Knights first-round pick in 2020, who was an offensive monster for the Steel and every bit as effective for the Wolverines. Owen Power, the consensus first overall pick, played two seasons for the Steel before shipping off to Ann Arbor, earning Big 10 All-Rookie and Second All-Star Team honours for this season.

Under Michigan head coach Mel Pearson, Samoskevich will hope to continue the tradition. Let’s dive into some of the things that Mackie will bring to the Wolverines next year and what he has to offer an NHL organization.