Charlotte Checkers: Who Could Be the Next Captain?

Patrick Brown has been signed by the Vegas Golden Knights, thus the captaincy of the Charlotte Checkers is vacant. Who can be the next person to step up as the captain of the reigning champions?

A championship team in the American Hockey League tends to be broken up usually, like we see with the Charlotte Checkers this offseason. More players want a shot at the big leagues, whether that’s the same organization or not. Captain Patrick Brown signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, Alternate Captain Andrew Porturalski signed with the Anaheim Ducks.

Haydn Fleury will very likely not be the next captain for the Charlotte Checkers. With the loss of Calvin de Haan in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, a valuable spot on the Hurricanes defense is open for Fleury, which he is expected to take.

With Poturalski, Fleury, and Brown moving elsewhere or upward in the Hurricanes organization, a captain and alternate captain spot needs to be filled. Trevor Carrick fits the right description. He was an alternate captain for the Checkers, scored 9 goals, registered 38 assists, for 47 points in 71 games as a defenseman.

Carrick also scored 3 and got 9 assists in 16 playoff games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. For the most part, an 8 +/- isn’t flashy, but it does show the team plays better with him on the ice. Trevor Carrick isn’t afraid to stick up for his teammates and has been known to drop the gloves.

Roland McKeown could be a valid candidate as the new captain of the Charlotte Checkers. He has three years of experience with the Checkers. His rookie season wasn’t great, but the two years after showed improvement and grind, an experience he can share with rookie players on the Checkers and struggling players.

He led the Checkers in +/- at +30, solid defenseman numbers with 25 points. If he’s not the captain, being the other alternate captain may be a great leadership addition.

Although Jake Bean is young, he is a defenseman who can contribute to an offensive punch as he’s in the top six of the entire Charlotte Checkers for the most points at 44, which adds up from his 13 goals and 31 assists. He has the most goals for a defenseman on the team.

He’s 20 years old and a possibility of him being the next captain (or possibly alternate captain) would help wonders for his next push of development. He is +17 in +/- and will probably be the top defensive pairing.

Whether it be Trevor Carrick, Roland McKeown, or Jake Bean, the next captain of the Charlotte Checkers will be a complete stud and will attempt to win back-to-back Calder Cups for the franchise. Out of the picks, Trevor Carrick is probably the favorite to become the next captain, with perhaps McKeown and Bean as his alternate captains.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: Who do you think will be the next captain of the Charlotte Checkers?