2022 Charlotte Checkers Offseason Player Tracker

SEASON SYNOPSIS

The Charlotte Checkers returned to AHL play in 2021-22 after sitting out the 2021 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019 Calder Cup Champions were looking to repeat as the last crowned AHL champion, as well, clinching the Atlantic Division with a 42-24-6, 90 points, a .625 points percentage, and 36 regulation wins to break the top-seed tie with Springfield. In the postseason, Charlotte was granted a first round bye. The Checkers then defeated Bridgeport three games to one in the best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals. Charlotte was then swept in the divisional finals by Springfield, three games to none.

Charlotte took full benefit of the dual affiliation with both Florida and Seattle last season. Florida-contracted centerman Zac Dalpe led the team in goals (30), another Panthers center — Aleksi Heponiemi— boasted the most in team assists (30), and Seattle-signed centerman Alexander True led the team in total points (42). The Kraken-contracted netminder Joey Daccord finished the year with a 19-11-2 record, 2.28 goals against average (fifth in the AHL), and was tied for second league-wide with a .925 save percentage.

UNDER CONTRACT AND RE-SIGNINGS

Forwards

• Connor Bunnaman – Last year of two-way standard player NHL contract
  
• Zac Dalpe – Last year of two-way standard player NHL contract
• Grigori Denisenko – Last year of entry-level contract
  
• Logan Hutsko – Last year of entry-level contract
  
• Serron Noel – Last year of entry-level contract
• Cole Schwindt – Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
• Aleksi Heponiemi – Signed one-year, two-way NHL contract extension on July 5

Defensemen

• Max Gildon – Last year of entry-level contract
  
• John Ludvig – Last year of entry-level contract
• Zach Uens – First year of entry-level contract
• Dennis Cesana – Signed a two-year AHL contract (starting 2022-23) on March 8
• Patrick Giles – Signed a PTO plus one-year AHL contract on March 18
• Matt Kiersted – Signed a two-year NHL contract extension (2022-23 is two-way; 2023-23 is one-way) on June 27
• Lucas Carlsson – Signed a one-year, two-week NHL contract extension on July 8

Goaltenders

• Spencer Knight – Last year of entry-level contract
• Evan Fitzpatrick – Signed a one-year AHL contract extension on June 9

NEW ADDITIONS

Forwards

• Justin Sourdif – First year of entry-level contract (played with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL in 2021-22)
• Anton Levtchi – Signed a one-year, entry-level contract on June 14 (played with Tappara in Liiga in 2021-22)
• Riley Bezeau – Signed a one-year AHL contract on July 11 (played with Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL in 2021-22)

Defensemen

• Santtu Kinnunen – Signed a two-year, entry-level contract on May 2 (played with Tappara in Liiga in 2021-22)
• Calle Själin – Signed a two-year, entry-level contract on June 10 (played with Leksands IF in the SHL in 2021-22)

Goaltenders

• Mack Guzda – Second-to-last year of entry-level contract (played with Barrie Colts & Owen Sound Attack in the OHL in 2021-22)

DEPARTURES (STANDARD)

Forwards

• Ryan Lohin – Signed a one-year AHL contract with Hartford on July 6

DEPARTURES (SEATTLE CONTRACTED PLAYERS)

Forwards

• Luke Henman
• Kole Lind
• Max McCormick
• Alexander True
• Carsen Twarynski

Defensemen

• Connor Carrick
• Dennis Cholowski
• Cale Fleury
• Gustav Olofsson

Goaltenders

• Antoine Bibeau 
• Joey Daccord

FREE AGENTS

Forwards

• Scott Wilson – UFA
• Max Zimmer – UFA
• Henry Bowlby – RFA; extended a qualifying offer on July 11
• German Rubtsov – Was RFA; not extended a qualifying offer on July 11

Defensemen

• Jacob Friend – UFA
• Nolan Kneen – UFA
• Chase Priskie – UFA

Goaltenders

• Christopher Gibson – UFA

(Special thanks to CapFriendly and Elite Prospects for all the contract terms and definitions for this offseason player tracker!)