After moving on to Capitals organization, Ilya Samsonov posts thank you note to Metallurg Magnitogorsk organization

Tuesday, Capitals first-round pick Ilya Samsonov stepped onto the ice at Kettler for only the second time since being drafted in 2015.

The 21-year-old goaltender, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals in May, is leaving Russia and will be playing hockey in North America next season.

On Friday, Samsonov posted a long message on Instagram thanking the fans, players, and coaches of his former team in the KHL, Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

Спасибо большое моей родной команде!!! Спасибо руководству клуба за оказанное доверия и конечно нашим болельщикам которые на протяжение нескольких лет поддерживали несмотря не на что!😊 Спасибо моим родным и близким за оказанную поддержку!!!🙏 Мы все стали настоящей семьёй и я с улыбкой и радостью буду вспоминать это время!👍 Удачи Металлург,главное без травм!!! За всех переживаю и болею,удачи парни,следующий кубок должен быть в Магнитке🏆🙏🏆

A post shared by @ samsonov_30 on Jun 22, 2018 at 6:50pm PDT

RMNB’s Graham Dumas has your translation.

“A huge thank you to my home team!!!” Samsonov wrote. “Thanks to the coaching staff for having faith in me, and if course [thanks to] our fans, who have supported us, no matter what! 😊 Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me!! We all became a real family, and I’ll always look back on this with joy and a smile! 👍 Good luck to Metallurg, and most importantly good health!!! I think about you all and I’m rooting for you. The next [Gagarin] Cup should be Magnitka’s. 🏆🙏🏆”

Samsonov is expected to play with the AHL Hershey Bears next season.