WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced today that infielder Nate Samson has had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs. Samson, 25, played seven seasons in the Cubs organization before being released this past offseason and joining the Goldeyes. He hit .216 with a grand slam and 15 RBI in 42 games with the Goldeyes this season. He started all of his 42 games at shortstop. "This is what independent baseball is all about," Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. "We thank Nate for his service to our baseball club and wish him the best pursuing his baseball dream with the Chicago Cubs organization once again." Samson is expected to report to Double-A Tennessee of the Southern League tomorrow. He previously played parts of four seasons with Tennessee. With Samsons departure, the Goldeyes have sold the contracts of 62 players to Major League organizations during the teams 20 years of existence. Samson is the fourth member of the Goldeyes in the last three years to have his contract purchased mid-season. The Goldeyes now have 21 players on their active roster, including 11 pitchers and 10 position players. Discount Shoes Wholesale . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Cheap Wholesale Shoes Free Shipping . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. http://www.discountshoeschina.com/ . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Discount Shoes Online Free Shipping . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Wholesale Shoes China Free Shipping . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. MONTREAL, Quebec -- There he was, the next face of the Toronto Maple Leafs, standing and answering questions in the Montreal Canadiens home dressing room underneath the black-and-white photos of Canadiens legends.The photos of Hall of Famers wraps around the Montreal dressing room. Just above Auston Matthews hung pictures of all-timers Henri Richard, Gump Worsley, Yvan Cournoyer and Ken Dryden.Yes, its a little strange that the Maple Leafs No. 1 pick is getting his first major exposure to the NHL world while setting up shop in the heart of the Bell Centre. At one point, he mentioned how excited he was to play in Toronto, the center of the hockey world, to which a Montreal reporter suggested that it might not be wise for him to repeat that too loudly in this town.Yeah, well, I guess you could argue it, he said with a shrug.Its a nontraditional start to an NHL career, but for Matthews, thats just about right. After all, this is the guy who bypassed college and junior hockey to play in Switzerland during his draft year.He isnt afraid of a different path. Nor is he afraid of the path ahead in this tournament.Matthews entered World Cup of Hockey training camp as the 13th forward for Team North America coach Todd McLellan. Chatting last month at his summer home, McLellan shared the Matthews game plan, written in pencil.I think weve got to go with a little bit of the playing experience right off the bat, he said. But Matthews might play in the exhibition games and be lights-out, and maybe hell play.For now, Matthews, 18, is fine with that plan. He knows hell have to earn every minute of playing time, and the reality is that he has very little time to do so. Team North America plays its first of three pre-tournament games on Thursday in Quebec City.But in just two practices, you could see Matthews working his way up the depth chart. On Tuesday, he was taking shifts on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a trio of No. 1 picks. Matthews was also alternating on the second power-play unit.He earned his way onto the roster by wowing general managers Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman during the World Championships, and hell get the opportuniity to do the same with this coaching staff.ddddddddddddHes going to experience the worlds best right off the bat, McLellan said after practice Tuesday. Hes played against some very good players at the world junior level -- certainly at the World Championships -- never as concentrated per country as it is right now. Its baptism by fire, but just being around him for two days, hes very capable of handling it.This isnt McLellans first glimpse of Matthews, which helps the cause. McLellans son Tyson is headed to the University of Denver to play hockey. He competed against Matthews for years.McLellan remembers noticing Matthews for the first time in bantam hockey, and even then his skill level stood out.Very talented, McLellan said.The history goes back years. He already knows what Matthews new teammates are starting to realize this week. Hes a high-level talent who made this team because of his ability to make plays every time hes on the ice.Theres a maturity to his game, Team North America defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere?said of his first impression of Matthews. Hes making plays like its nothing out there. Hes so young. I cant imagine at his age what Id be doing out there. Id be scared as hell.Matthews doesnt have time to be scared. If he wants to play in this tournament and have an impact, he has to show it immediately.Im trying to earn as much ice time as I can and build my way up the lineup, Matthews said. Thats just the way it goes. I dont have time.He wasnt originally going to be on this team. Chiarelli made it no secret that he preferred experience when constructing the Team North America roster. But Matthews forced his way on when he was one of the best players on the ice representing Team USA at the World Championships. He might be the extra forward now, but the good bet is that wont last.Matthews is a very professional, driven young man who understands the game at a high, high level with high skill, Team Canada and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. Hes not going to take a back seat to anybody for very long. ' ' '