Multiple Checkers Called Up to Full-time NHL Roster
The Charlotte Checkers are currently tied with the Chicago Wolves in the Calder Cup Finals (at the time of writing) at one game apiece. The Checkers have been absolutely stellar this season on multiple fronts.
A huge part of the Checkers’ success is their elite prospect talent, most of which have a solid shot at making the Hurricanes’ roster full-time next season. A few names that come directly to mind are Alex Nedeljkovic, Jake Bean, Aleksi Saarela, Patrick Brown, Julien Gauthier, and Martin Necas.
This isn’t to say these players are the only ones that have a shot at making the NHL next year. These are just a few names out of many that come to mind when contemplating future NHL talent. As seen below, the Checkers have a plethora of solid young players waiting in the wings.
WE'RE GOING TO THE FINALS pic.twitter.com/O5UEvIftU3
— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) May 27, 2019
Quite a few of these players have seen time with the Hurricanes, most notably Alex Nedeljkovic and Patrick Brown. Nedeljkovic won his first ever NHL start, and is widely considered to be one of the most NHL-ready goaltenders in the AHL. Alongside Nedeljkovic is Patrick Brown, who was called up to the Canes’ roster for a good chunk of the postseason.
The offseason development of the Checkers players that are close to making the transition as well as preseason performance will ultimately determine who gets the call for good, but I have no doubt that even if Waddell does keep the Hurricanes’ core together, quite a few Checkers will see solid ice-time in the NHL next season.