Sam Reinhart Bio
Samson Sam Reinhart is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League. He was selected second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has since developed into one of the most reliable two-way forwards in the league. Reinhart has represented Canada at multiple international events and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning consecutive titles with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Reinhart grew up in a hockey family with deep roots in the game. His combination of scoring touch, defensive responsibility, and leadership has helped him become a central figure on a Panthers team that has captured back-to-back championships.
Early Life and Background
Sam Reinhart was born on November 6, 1995, in West Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the son of Paul Reinhart, a former National Hockey League defenceman who later transitioned into finance and stock market promotion, and Theresa Reinhart. Growing up, Reinhart was surrounded by the sport and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps on the ice.
He played minor ice hockey at the Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver, where he originally skated as a defenceman before settling into the centre position. Reinhart attended Collingwood School in West Vancouver and also played tennis in high school, a sport he continues to enjoy during the offseason. In addition to hockey, he played baseball, lacrosse, and soccer, and has described himself as a passionate soccer fan.
Reinhart comes from a talented hockey family. He has two brothers, Max and Griffin, who also pursued professional hockey careers. While in Buffalo, Reinhart wore jersey number 23, the same number his father wore during his NHL career, a tribute to the family connection to the game.
Path to Hockey
Reinhart played for the Vancouver Northwest Giants of the BC Hockey Major Midget League, where he recorded 38 goals and 40 assists in his only full season. With the Northwest Giants, he won the 2010–11 BCMML championship, finished fourth at the 2011 Telus Cup, and earned the Top Scorer and Top Forward awards at that event. He also represented British Columbia at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, winning gold with the U16 team.
The Kootenay Ice selected Reinhart 15th overall in the 2010 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. He joined the Ice for four games during the 2010–11 season, scoring the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oil Kings in his WHL debut. That contest also marked the first WHL game featuring all three Reinhart brothers. He suited up for seven playoff games with the Ice as part of their Ed Chynoweth Cup championship run.
In his first full WHL season in 2011–12, Reinhart posted 62 points and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie. He continued to develop into one of the Western Hockey League’s top scorers, eventually being named captain of the Kootenay Ice for the 2013–14 season. Reinhart was ranked fourth on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s 2014 midterm rankings for North American skaters, setting the stage for his NHL arrival.
Sam Reinhart Career
Early Career with the Buffalo Sabres (2014–2021)
After being selected second overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Reinhart signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres and made the opening night roster for the 2014–15 season. He debuted on October 9, 2014, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, becoming the sixth-youngest player to dress for the Sabres in franchise history. He recorded his first NHL point later that month before being returned to the Kootenay Ice, where he set franchise records with 287 and then 300 career WHL points.
In his sophomore NHL season, Reinhart scored his first career goal on October 17, 2015, against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He earned top-line minutes alongside Jack Eichel and later Ryan O’Reilly, producing his first NHL hat-trick on January 10, 2016, in a win over the Winnipeg Jets. Reinhart finished that season with 23 goals and 42 points, becoming one of the first Sabres rookies in decades to reach the 20-goal mark. Over the following seasons in Buffalo, he continued to produce offensively and signed contract extensions, but the Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs during his tenure.
Florida Panthers Era (2021–Present)
On July 24, 2021, Reinhart was traded by the Buffalo Sabres to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltending prospect Devon Levi and a first-round pick. Shortly after the trade, he signed a three-year contract worth $19.5 million with the Panthers. Reinhart quickly became a key contributor in Florida’s forward group, providing secondary scoring and dependable two-way play.
On June 24, 2024, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Reinhart scored a decisive goal that helped the Panthers secure their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. Following the title, he signed an eight-year, $69 million contract extension keeping him in Florida through the 2031–32 season. In the 2024–25 regular season, Reinhart led the Panthers with 39 goals and 81 points, and was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward.
2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
During the 2025 playoffs, Reinhart helped the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the Final. In the Cup-clinching Game 6, he delivered a memorable performance, scoring four goals in a 5–1 victory. His effort marked the first time an NHL player scored four goals in a Stanley Cup Finals game since Maurice Richard in 1957.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reinhart is widely regarded for his hockey sense, versatility, and two-way reliability. He can play centre or wing effectively and has shown the ability to produce offensively while taking on demanding defensive assignments, which has been central to his Selke Trophy recognition. His composure in high-pressure moments, combined with his shot and playmaking, makes him a complete modern forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reinhart’s biggest milestones include his Game 7 goal in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final and his four-goal performance in the 2025 Cup-clinching game. He also holds franchise records with the Kootenay Ice for career points and is the only Sabres player since 1984 to record a hat-trick at such a young age.
Sam Reinhart Career Wins
Sam Reinhart has earned major championship success at both the junior and professional levels. He captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Kootenay Ice in 2011 and later won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025. He has also won gold medals representing Canada at the under-18 and World Junior levels.
Junior and International Highlights
Reinhart was a key contributor for the Kootenay Ice during their 2010–11 WHL championship run and later captained Canada’s under-18 team at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, winning gold. He also helped Canada win gold at the 2015 World Junior Championship and the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
Professional Highlights
In the NHL, Reinhart has been part of two Stanley Cup championship teams with the Florida Panthers. His Game 7 goal in 2024 and four-goal performance in the 2025 Cup Final stand out as defining moments of his professional career.
Sam Reinhart Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Sam Reinhart was raised in a family with deep roots in professional hockey. His father, Paul Reinhart, was an NHL defenceman who later became involved in stock market finance. His brothers, Max and Griffin, both played in the NHL, with Max drafted by the Calgary Flames and Griffin selected fourth overall by the New York Islanders in 2012. The three brothers played together on the Kootenay Ice during the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons.
Personal Life
Reinhart prefers to be called Samson, his full first name, rather than Sam. While playing in Buffalo, his teammates called him Reino, a nickname that carried over to his time with the Florida Panthers. In 2025, after teammate Anthony Stolarz signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Reinhart stepped up to care for Stolarz’s cat.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked a career year for Sam Reinhart with the Florida Panthers. He led the team with 39 goals and 81 points in 79 games, showcasing his value as both a scorer and a defensive forward. His performance earned him a finalist nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, recognizing the NHL’s best defensive forward.
Reinhart carried that momentum into the 2025 playoffs, where he played a central role as the Panthers pursued a repeat championship. His four-goal effort in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final helped Florida defeat the Edmonton Oilers and secure back-to-back titles. The performance cemented his status as one of the most clutch performers in the league.
Looking ahead, Reinhart remains a cornerstone of the Panthers organization through the 2031–32 season. With his combination of scoring, defense, and leadership, he is expected to remain central to Florida’s pursuit of further championships.