Sam Lipkin

April 2024- After winning the NCAA men’s hockey championship last year, Quinnipiac lost this season to Boston College in the regional final during overtime. After two strong campaigns at Quinnipiac, Lipkin decided it was time and signed his entry-level contract with Arizona and will report to Tucson. There he will play out the year with the Roadrunners on a ATO (amateur tryout). After a standout freshman year in College, Lipkin could have turned pro last season. Instead, he opted for one more year of development at Quinnipiac and a chance to defend the school’s first title despite a significant loss of personnel. “It gave me a great chance to put on 10 to 15 pounds since my freshman year and enable me to take strides in my skating, which is something I’ve been working hard at,” Lipkin said after signing his ELC. “I just wanted to get bigger, faster and stronger. Quinnipiac gave me a great development path to do that and I feel like I did a good job executing it so I feel ready for the next step.” Lipkin started 2023-24 slow with points in three of the Bobcats’ first eight games. After that though, he rounded into form, finishing with 15 goals and 35 points in 39 games. Keith Duggan

June 2023- The 2022-23 hockey year was a very impressive one for the quickly emerging Lipkin. He was second on Quinnipiac in scoring with 14 goals and 43 points in 39 contests. Lipkin was a big part of the team’s run to winning its first NCAA men’s hockey championship. He assisted on the OT winner in the championship game against heavily favored Minnesota. Lipkin also surprisingly made Team USA for the 2023 WJC. When his college season was over, Arizona pushed hard to sign him, but Lipkin announced he’ll return for his sophomore year at Quinnipiac. Keith Duggan

December 2022- Lipkin’s impressive ascent in the world of hockey continues. One of the last players selected during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Lipkin was one of the top scorers in the USHL last year. Now, he has made Team USA’s roster for the 2023 WJC, despite never playing internationally before. When he left Quinnipiac University for the Team USA camp, Lipkin was one of their top scorers with five goals and 19 points in 18 games. Unlike fellow Coyote prospect Logan Cooley, Lipkin is not expected to be a top line player for USA. Expect more of a bottom six, energy type who scores a point here and there. Keith Duggan

October 2022- Lipkin had a very strong 2021-22 season. He finished 12th in USHL scoring with 71 points in 59 games, his 36 goals good for fourth in the league. Lipkin now heads to Quinnipiac University to begin his freshman year. Keith Duggan

March 2022- Like former Chicago Steel teammate Josh Doan, Sam Lipkin saw limited playing time in his 17-year-old season. He split the campaign between Chicago of the USHL and Tier II USPHL New Jersey Rockets. Doan had 14 points in 45 games in his first year with Chicago before exploding for 31 goals and 70 points in second season. Lipkin had three goals and 11 points in 30 games in his first year with Chicago. Unlike Doan who went undrafted in his first go around at the NHL Draft, (before being selected in the 2021 second-round) Arizona saw some of the same qualities in Lipkin and acquired Montreal’s 2021 seventh-rounder, selecting him 233rd overall. The pick now looks like a potential “steel” (pun intended). In his second campaign with the Steel he currently has 25 goals and 51 points in 43 games, good for 11th in USHL scoring. Lipkin is the team’s captain and plays a strong 200-foot game that includes a commitment to the small details. He has good overall skill and possesses an NHL shot. Lipkin has a pro build already (6-2 and 192 pounds) which he’s not afraid to use, another player that fits GM Bill Armstrong’s profile of a heavier team like the ones he helped construct in St. Louis. He’ll play at Quinnipiac College next year. Keith Duggan