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Charlotte Checkers
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The Charlotte Checkers are a professional ice hockey team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the American Hockey League (AHL), and are the top minor league affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Checkers play their home games at Bojangles' Coliseum.
Key Information
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The current organization is the third team by this name; it succeeded a Checkers franchise that played in the ECHL from 1993 until the end of the 2009–10 ECHL season. The original Checkers team played in the city from 1956 to 1977, originally in the Eastern Hockey League and then in the Southern Hockey League. The franchise is one of six teams to replace and share a name with a predecessor franchise from a lower-tier league; the others are the Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles, Ontario Reign, Rockford IceHogs, and San Diego Gulls.
History
[edit]The franchise was originally based in Troy, New York, as the Capital District Islanders from 1990 to 1993. They then became the Albany River Rats from 1993 to 2010, until the River Rats were sold to MAK Hockey, LLC, led by Charlotte beer distributor Michael Kahn, owner of the ECHL Checkers.[1] The new ownership relocated the team to Charlotte for the 2010–11 season, renaming the franchise the "Charlotte Checkers", and relinquished the ECHL franchise to the league.[2][3]
The Checkers are the second North Carolina–based team to play at the highest level of minor-league hockey, following the Carolina Monarchs, who played in Greensboro from 1995 to 1997. The Checkers inherited the River Rats' affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes, in keeping with a recent trend to have NHL teams' top affiliates geographically close to their parent teams in order to ease movement between the AHL and the NHL.
The AHL Checkers' first home game was October 15, 2010, at the Time Warner Cable Arena in front of 12,512 spectators, which set an attendance record for a hockey game in Charlotte.[4] On February 26, 2011, the attendance record was broken as 12,933 fans watched the Checkers defeat the Connecticut Whale 1–0.[5] Almost a year later, on February 25, 2012, the attendance record was broken yet again as 13,102 fans watched the Checkers fall to the Oklahoma City Barons, 3–2.[6] On April 11, 2015, the attendance record was broken a third time as 13,219 fans watched the last Checkers game at Time Warner Cable Arena, a 2–0 loss to the Rockford IceHogs.[7]
In late 2014, the Checkers announced they would return in the following season to the Bojangles' Coliseum, the home of the previous Checkers teams until 2005.[8] As Kahn detailed, the move would reconnect with said team legacy. Additionally, having a dedicated arena allowed for "greater control over every aspect of our business, including scheduling, amenities, game presentation and sponsorship inventory." To make sure the Coliseum was up to AHL standards, the Charlotte City Council arranged to provide $16 million to fund renovations.[9][10] While Time Warner Cable Arena had been one of the largest arenas in the AHL, it left much to be desired as a hockey venue. It seated 14,100 people, but over 4,000 seats had obstructed views.[11]
In Charlotte on May 9 and 10, 2018, in game four of the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs, the Checkers and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms played the longest game in the history of the American Hockey League. A 1–1 tie was broken by a Phantoms' goal at 6:48 of the fifth overtime period, more than six hours after the game began. The Checkers made 95 shots against Lehigh Valley goalie Alex Lyon.[12]
The 2018–19 season was the Checkers' best season as an AHL team to date and one of the best in Charlotte's hockey history. They won their first division title with 110 points and the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for the league's best regular season record. It was the first time a Charlotte hockey team had broken the 100-point barrier since the SHL Checkers earned 101 points in 1974–75. They defeated the defending champion Toronto Marlies in the Eastern Conference finals to advance to their first Calder Cup final. They defeated the Chicago Wolves in five games to win their first AHL title, and the seventh hockey championship by a Charlotte-based team.[13]
The following 2019–20 season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Calder Cup was not awarded. Following the cancelled postseason, the Hurricanes ended their affiliation with the Checkers after ten seasons,[14] resulting in the Checkers affiliating with the Florida Panthers beginning with the 2020–21 season. However, due to the ongoing restrictions during the pandemic, the Checkers were one of three teams that opted out of the 2020–21 AHL season.[15] When the Checkers returned for the 2021–22 season, they remained the primary affiliate of the Panthers, but agreed to also serve as the affiliate for the 2021–22 expansion team Seattle Kraken. The Kraken's general manager Ron Francis formerly worked for the Hurricanes when the team was still affiliated with the Checkers.[16]
Season-by-season results
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | PCT | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing | Year | Prelims | 1st round |
2nd round |
3rd round |
Finals |
| 2010–11 | 80 | 44 | 27 | 2 | 7 | 97 | .606 | 265 | 243 | 3rd, East | 2011 | — | W, 4–2, HER | W, 4–2, WBS | L, 0–4, BNG | — |
| 2011–12 | 76 | 38 | 29 | 3 | 6 | 85 | .559 | 209 | 214 | 3rd, Midwest | 2012 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2012–13 | 76 | 42 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 92 | .605 | 226 | 202 | 2nd, South | 2013 | — | L, 2–3, OKC | — | — | — |
| 2013–14 | 76 | 37 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 77 | .507 | 228 | 241 | 4th, West | 2014 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2014–15 | 76 | 31 | 38 | 6 | 1 | 69 | .454 | 172 | 231 | 4th, West | 2015 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2015–16 | 76 | 36 | 32 | 3 | 5 | 80 | .526 | 214 | 229 | 5th, Central | 2016 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2016–17 | 76 | 39 | 29 | 7 | 1 | 86 | .566 | 212 | 208 | 4th, Central | 2017 | — | L, 2–3, CHI | — | — | — |
| 2017–18 | 76 | 46 | 26 | 1 | 3 | 96 | .632 | 261 | 212 | 3rd, Atlantic | 2018 | — | W, 3–0, WBS | L, 1–4, LV | — | — |
| 2018–19 | 76 | 51 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 110 | .724 | 255 | 189 | 1st, Atlantic | 2019 | — | W, 3–1, PRO | W, 4–0, HER | W, 4–2, TOR | W, 4–1, CHI |
| 2019–20 | 61 | 34 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 73 | .598 | 202 | 172 | 3rd, Atlantic | 2020 | Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 2020–21 | Did not participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | Did not participate | |||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | 72 | 42 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 90 | .625 | 234 | 197 | 1st, Atlantic | 2022 | BYE | W, 3–1, BRI | L, 0–3, SPR | — | — |
| 2022–23 | 72 | 39 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 86 | .597 | 235 | 220 | 3rd, Atlantic | 2023 | W, 2–1, LV | L, 1–3, HER | — | — | — |
| 2023–24 | 72 | 39 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 85 | .590 | 217 | 203 | 4th, Atlantic | 2024 | L, 1–2, HFD | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | 72 | 44 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 94 | .653 | 234 | 185 | 2nd, Atlantic | 2025 | BYE | W, 3–2, PRO | W, 3–0, HER | W, 4–0, LAV | L, 2–4, ABB |
Players
[edit]Current roster
[edit]Updated February 6, 2026.[17]
Team captains
[edit]- Bryan Rodney, 2010–11
- Brett Sutter, 2011–14
- Michal Jordan, 2014–15
- Derek Ryan, 2015–16
- Patrick Brown, 2016–19
- Roland McKeown, 2019–20
- Zac Dalpe, 2021–25
- Trevor Carrick, 2025–present
Notable alumni
[edit]The following players have played both 100 games for the Charlotte Checkers and 100 games in the National Hockey League:
References
[edit]- ^ "Capital District Sports announce River Rats sale". Albany River Rats. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
- ^ "AHL Hockey coming to Charlotte in 2010-11". Charlotte Checkers. February 15, 2010. Archived from the original on February 19, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- ^ "Charlotte added to AHL for 2010-11". American Hockey League. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "CHECKERS DOUBLED UP, 4-2, IN HISTORIC OPENER". Charlotte Checkers. October 15, 2010. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ "CHECKERS BLANK WHALE IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD!". Charlotte Checkers. February 26, 2011. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Lasko, Seth (April 10, 2015). "Charlotte Checkers looking to leave Time Warner Cable Arena with team attendance record". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
- ^ Niedzielski, Nicholas (April 11, 2015). "Checkers fall to Rockford in front of record crowd". Charlotte Checkers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ Brough, Jason (November 25, 2014). "The Charlotte Checkers would like to move back to Bojangles' Coliseum". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ Branecky, Paul (December 9, 2014). "Checkers Make Return to Bojangles' Coliseum Official". Charlotte Checkers. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Spanberg, Erik (February 10, 2015). "Council backs Charlotte Checkers, arena". Charlotte Business Journal. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "Charlotte City Council Approves Funding to Renovate Bojangles' Coliseum". Charlotte Checkers. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- ^ "MARATHON MEN: PHANTOMS WIN LONGEST AHL GAME EVER". American Hockey League. May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ Niedzielski, Nicholas (June 9, 2019). "CHECKERS WIN CALDER CUP CHAMPIONSHIP". Charlotte Checkers. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ "Wolves forge partnership with Carolina Hurricanes". Chicago Wolves. September 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ "28 teams to participate in 2020-21 AHL season". American Hockey League. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Pelletier, Justin (July 2, 2021). "No longer affiliated with the Canes, the AHL's Checkers now have two NHL parent clubs". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Charlotte Checkers Team Roster". Charlotte Checkers. February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
External links
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Charlotte Checkers
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Franchise overview
Establishment and early years
The Charlotte Checkers were founded in 1993 as an expansion franchise in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), marking the return of professional hockey to Charlotte after a 16-year hiatus following the demise of the previous Checkers team in the Southern Hockey League in 1977. The franchise was awarded in 1992 by ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly to a local ownership group comprising majority owners Carl Scheer, a sports executive, and Felix Sabates, a prominent businessman and NASCAR team owner, along with minority investors Tim Braswell, Richard Petty, and Kyle Petty. The new team adopted the historic "Checkers" moniker to honor Charlotte's earlier professional hockey legacy, which dated back to 1956 in the Eastern Hockey League.[2][4] The Checkers launched their inaugural 1993–94 season at Independence Arena under head coach John Marks, a veteran of minor league hockey who would lead the team through its formative years. The roster featured promising talents such as center Matthew Robbins, who topped the team with 89 points (33 goals, 56 assists) in 53 games, left winger Sergei Berdnikov with 87 points (48 goals, 39 assists), and goaltender Scott Bailey, who posted a 3.58 goals-against average in 36 appearances. On the ice, the Checkers compiled a strong 39–25–4 record, earning 82 points and fourth place in the East Division, good enough for a first-round playoff berth where they fell 2–1 to the Greensboro Monarchs. Off the ice, the team drew an average attendance of 8,130 fans per home game at the 9,000-seat venue, signaling promising community interest in the revived sport.[5][6][7] Building on their debut, the Checkers continued their on-ice success in the mid-1990s, finishing third in the East Division with a 37–22–9 record in 1994–95 and advancing to the second round of the playoffs before losing 4–1 to the Worcester IceCats. The 1995–96 season proved transformative, as the team captured the East Division title with a league-best 45–19–6 mark and 96 points, culminating in a Riley Cup championship victory over the Jacksonville Lizard Kings in four games—the franchise's first title and a highlight of early ECHL expansion success under Marks' guidance.[8] Amid this achievement, ownership shifted in late 1996 when Sabates and Scheer sold their controlling interests to minority owner Tim Braswell, who assumed majority control to steer the team's operations into the late 1990s.[9][10]League affiliations and relocations
The Charlotte Checkers began play in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in the 1993–94 season as an expansion franchise, initially aligned in the East Division alongside teams like the Greensboro Monarchs and Raleigh IceCaps.[11] The league underwent several realignments during the team's ECHL tenure, reflecting expansions and regional shifts; for instance, the Checkers moved to the Southeast Division in 1997–98 with the addition of southern teams such as the Huntington Blizzard, and later to the Northeast Division in 1999–2000 following further growth to 25 teams.[11] By the mid-2000s, amid ongoing league restructuring, they competed in the Southern Division (2003–04), East Division (2004–05), and South Division from 2005–06 through their final ECHL season in 2009–10, where they shared the division with clubs like the Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays.[11] These changes accommodated the ECHL's expansion from 16 teams in 1993 to 25 by 2010, emphasizing geographic balance in the increasingly national circuit.[12] In February 2010, the American Hockey League (AHL) approved the relocation of the Albany River Rats franchise to Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of an expansion effort to strengthen ties with NHL markets in the southeastern U.S. The move was facilitated by a purchase agreement between local entrepreneur Michael Kahn and the River Rats' ownership, transforming the dormant ECHL Checkers name into an AHL entity while the original ECHL franchise folded.[13] The relocated team began AHL play in the 2010–11 season at Time Warner Cable Arena (now Spectrum Center) in downtown Charlotte, marking the franchise's elevation to the primary developmental league for NHL prospects.[2] The Checkers' early AHL years featured frequent divisional shifts due to league realignments, starting in the East Division (Eastern Conference) in 2010–11, moving to the Midwest Division in 2011–12, the South Division in 2012–13, and the West Division from 2013–14 to 2014–15 as the AHL balanced conferences amid expansions like the California franchise additions.[14] In 2015–16, the team returned to Bojangles' Coliseum—its original home from the ECHL days, renovated for AHL standards—after playing at Spectrum Center since 2005, a relocation that reduced capacity but enhanced fan intimacy in the historic Eastland neighborhood venue.[2] Since the 2017–18 season, the Checkers have been placed in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, a stable alignment that has supported consistent regional rivalries with teams like the Hershey Bears and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[14] The franchise's primary NHL affiliation began with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2010, providing developmental pathways for prospects until the agreement concluded after the 2019–20 season.[2] In September 2020, the Checkers entered a multi-year partnership with the Florida Panthers as their primary AHL affiliate, a shift that integrated the team into the Panthers' robust development system, including shared training camps and prospect evaluations in Charlotte.[15] This arrangement has continued through the present, with the Checkers hosting portions of the Panthers' development activities to foster player transitions between the leagues.[1]Facilities and operations
Home arena
The Charlotte Checkers play their home games at Bojangles' Coliseum, a historic multi-purpose arena located at 2700 East Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally opened on September 24, 1955, as the Charlotte Coliseum, the venue served as the original home of the Checkers franchise from its establishment in 1956 through 1977. It underwent a name change to Independence Arena in 1993 following a renovation, became Cricket Arena in 2001, and was renamed Bojangles' Coliseum in November 2008 after the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority secured naming rights with the local fast-food chain Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc.; this agreement was renewed and expanded in 2018 to cover the entire Bojangles' Entertainment Complex, including adjacent Ovens Auditorium.[16] The arena has a seating capacity of 8,600 for hockey configurations, with an ice surface measuring 200 feet by 85 feet that adheres to standard professional rink dimensions. A major $16 million renovation project, completed between 2015 and 2016 and funded by the City of Charlotte, modernized the facility by replacing the original wooden seats with more comfortable plastic ones, upgrading the sound system and scoreboard, expanding locker rooms, and adding premium suites and improved amenities to enhance fan experience and operational efficiency.[17] The Checkers relocated back to the Coliseum for the 2015–16 season after previously playing at the larger Spectrum Center, marking a return to their historic roots. Bojangles' Coliseum holds significant historical importance for the Checkers, having hosted the team's early successes in the Eastern Hockey League and later serving as their primary venue upon rejoining in the ECHL era starting in 1993, where they captured the league title in 1996. The arena has been a site of notable attendance milestones, including frequent sellouts during playoff runs that have drawn record crowds for Checkers games, such as the franchise's largest home playoff attendance in recent years exceeding 8,600 fans. Beyond hockey, the venue hosts a variety of events including concerts, family shows, and professional wrestling, contributing to its role as a community landmark with over 10,000 total seats in non-ice configurations.Practice and training facilities
The Charlotte Checkers primarily conduct their on-ice practices and training sessions at the Extreme Ice Center, located in Indian Trail, North Carolina. This 87,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2006, features two regulation NHL-sized ice rinks designed for professional-level training and also supports community skating programs.[18] Prior to 2006, the team utilized the Pineville Ice House as its main practice venue during its ECHL years, sharing the space in exchange for coaching and development support for local youth programs.[19] The transition to the Extreme Ice Center allowed for dedicated practice time away from the home arena, enabling more consistent scheduling for daily drills and scrimmages.[20] As the American Hockey League affiliate of the Florida Panthers since 2020 (previously the [Carolina Hurricanes](/page/Carolina Hurricanes) from 2010 to 2020), the Checkers' facilities play a key role in player development, hosting summer hockey clinics and off-season training sessions that integrate Panthers prospects with AHL and ECHL talent.[21] These programs, often held at the Extreme Ice Center, include skill-building sessions for youth players through the Junior Checkers academy, fostering pathways from local leagues to professional levels.[22] The Extreme Ice Center provides essential operational amenities for the team's regimen, including an on-site fitness center for strength and conditioning, a pro shop for equipment needs, and space for supplementary activities like Pilates to enhance player performance.[23] Video analysis and medical support are integrated into training protocols, leveraging the facility's layout for review sessions and on-site athletic care aligned with AHL standards.[24] In 2025, under new ownership by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, plans were announced for a dedicated $30 million Checkers practice and recreation center featuring two full-sized rinks, aimed at further expanding training capacity and community integration, though construction details remain pending as of late 2025, with ongoing efforts to boost revenue and fan engagement supporting these expansions as of October 2025.[25][26]Team identity
Logos, uniforms, and branding
The Charlotte Checkers' primary logo, adopted in 2010 following the team's relocation to the American Hockey League, depicts a stylized polar bear head integrated with a checkerboard pattern symbolizing the team's name, rendered primarily in black outlines with red accents, white fur details, and silver highlights on a circular black background. This design replaced the previous blue-heavy version and has remained the central element of the franchise's visual identity, reflecting a more aggressive and modern aesthetic while maintaining the polar bear mascot established in the ECHL era. The color palette—red, black, silver, and white—aligns with the team's overall branding and is used consistently across merchandise and arena signage.[27][28] Earlier iterations of the logo trace back to the team's 1993 founding in the ECHL, where the initial design featured a playful caricature of a polar bear wearing a checkered scarf in red and blue tones on a white background, emphasizing a fun, approachable vibe for the expansion franchise. In 2002, the logo was refreshed to show a fiercer polar bear with sharper features, still in red and blue but with enhanced detailing to convey intensity, before the 2010 shift to black-dominated colors to better suit the AHL affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes at the time. These evolutions prioritized scalability for uniforms and marketing materials while preserving the bear as a core symbol.[27][29] The team's uniforms have undergone several redesigns to reflect league standards and affiliate alignments. Upon inception in 1993, the Checkers wore red home jerseys with black and white accents, paired with white away sets, using basic striping and the original polar bear crest. Updates in the mid-2000s refined these with silver trim for a sleeker look. The 2010 transition to the AHL introduced Reebok Edge templates, featuring angled shoulder yokes and the new black-inclusive logo, with red jerseys incorporating Hurricanes-inspired red-black-white schemes and black pants. By 2013, the uniforms adopted a matte finish and updated striping to match the Hurricanes' NHL redesign, shifting to Adidas templates in subsequent years for improved fit and ventilation. In 2022, the team introduced a black alternate jersey as a third option, worn on Fridays, with a minimalist design emphasizing the primary logo and subtle checkerboard sleeve patterns in red and silver. The 2025 primary jerseys, unveiled ahead of the season, feature a bold horizontal stripe pattern across the chest inspired by the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup-winning look, retaining the red-black-white base but adding Panthers logos on the shoulders for deeper affiliate synergy. The black alternate jersey continues to be worn for select games, sponsored by Autohaus Lake Norman.[30][31][3] Special edition jerseys have highlighted key milestones and themes, enhancing fan engagement through limited-use designs. For instance, in 2018, the Checkers wore military-themed warm-up jerseys at select games, featuring camouflage patterns in team colors and patriotic motifs to honor service members, auctioned for charity afterward. Commemorative pieces, such as those celebrating the 2019 Calder Cup championship, included patch-adorned replicas with gold accents on the standard red jerseys. These variants adhere to league guidelines but incorporate unique elements like thematic graphics or alternate crests to mark events without altering core branding.[32] Branding is protected through multiple trademarks held by Charlotte Checkers Hockey LLC, covering the primary polar bear logo, wordmarks like "Checkers," and related merchandise such as jerseys and apparel in international classes for clothing and accessories. These trademarks ensure consistent use in official products and licensing, with guidelines emphasizing the red-black-silver-white palette and prohibiting unauthorized modifications to maintain visual integrity across digital, print, and on-ice applications.[33]Mascot and fan traditions
The mascot of the Charlotte Checkers is Chubby, a bear character that has been a fixture of the franchise for decades, originating in the team's ECHL era and continuing after the transition to the American Hockey League in 2010.[34] Chubby entertains fans during home games at Bojangles' Coliseum with on-ice antics and interactions, contributing to the lively atmosphere of Checkers matches.[34] Beyond game nights, Chubby plays a key role in community outreach, appearing at school assemblies, business functions, and charitable events to engage local audiences and promote team spirit.[34] These appearances, which require advance booking and a nominal fee, often involve interactive activities tailored to youth groups and nonprofits, helping to foster goodwill in the Charlotte area.[34] For instance, Chubby has participated in volunteering efforts alongside players and staff, such as awareness campaigns for organizations like Special Olympics North Carolina.[35] Fan traditions at Checkers games emphasize participation and excitement, with the cowbell ringer serving as a longstanding ritual to signal the start of each home contest and rally the crowd.[36] Other interactive elements include pregame Zamboni rides for select fans and personalized video board messages displayed during intermissions, enhancing the communal feel of attending a game.[36] The annual Teddy Bear Toss, held during a November home game, invites supporters to throw new stuffed animals onto the ice after the first goal, with donations benefiting local charities.[37] Tailgating has emerged as a popular pregame custom outside Bojangles' Coliseum, particularly during playoff series, where fans gather in the parking lot for music, food, and games to build anticipation.[38] This tradition underscores the dedicated supporter culture, bolstered by season ticket holders who organize informal meetups and share event information through community channels.[39] Since joining the AHL in 2010, the Checkers have maintained strong attendance, averaging over 6,000 fans per game in recent seasons, including 6,979 during the 2023-24 and 6,964 during the 2024-25 campaigns—the highest marks since the late 1990s.[7][38]Historical development
ECHL era (1993–2010)
The Charlotte Checkers joined the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) as an expansion franchise in 1993, marking the return of professional hockey to Charlotte after a 17-year absence. Owned by a group led by local businessman Felix Sabates and including Carl Scheer, Tim Braswell, Richard Petty, and Kyle Petty, the team played its home games at the Charlotte Coliseum, later known as Independence Arena. Under head coach John Marks, who guided the squad from its inception through the 1997–98 season, the Checkers quickly established themselves as a competitive force, compiling a 191-116-23 record during his tenure.[2][9][4] The building phase from 1993 to 1999 featured steady progress, with the Checkers qualifying for the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons. In the 1995–96 campaign, they captured their first division title by finishing atop the East Division with a 45-18-7 record and 97 points, earning the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league's top regular-season team. This success propelled them to the Riley Cup Finals, where they swept the San Diego Gulls 4–0 to claim the ECHL championship in just their third year of existence—the last team to win the Riley Cup before it was retired and replaced by the Kelly Cup in 1997. The 1998–99 season under new coach Shawn Wheeler saw another solid performance, with a 29-30-11 mark and 69 points, securing a playoff berth, though they fell in the division semifinals to the Huntington IceCats. Attendance surged during this period, with the Checkers ranking in the top four league-wide in each of their first four seasons, averaging over 6,000 fans per game and reflecting strong community support in a non-traditional hockey market.[40][8][4] The early 2000s brought transitions in leadership and facilities. After Wheeler's departure following the 1999–2000 season, Don MacAdam took over as head coach from 2000 to 2004, leading the team to three consecutive playoff appearances despite missing the postseason in 2002–03. In 2001, the arena secured a naming rights deal with Cricket Communications, becoming Cricket Arena—a change that lasted until 2008. Ownership remained stable until 2006, when Albany River Rats owner Michael Kahn acquired the franchise, providing financial stability amid league expansions. That year also marked a venue shift, as the Checkers relocated to the newly opened Time Warner Cable Arena (now Spectrum Center) for the 2005–06 season, aiming to boost visibility in downtown Charlotte while maintaining competitive play.[11][2] Under Derek Wilkinson, who coached from 2004 to 2010 and amassed 237 wins, the Checkers enjoyed a resurgence, making the playoffs in five of his six full seasons and consistently drawing crowds that grew to an all-time single-game high of over 12,000 in 2009. The 2009–10 season epitomized this era's consistency, with a 42-23-7 record and 91 points for second place in the South Division, advancing to the conference finals before a 4-1 series loss to the South Carolina Stingrays. Despite no additional championships after 1996, the Checkers' 17-year ECHL tenure included 10 playoff appearances and solidified Charlotte as a viable hockey market, setting the stage for their transition to the American Hockey League.[2][41]AHL transition and Panthers affiliation (2010–present)
In February 2010, Checkers owner Michael Kahn purchased the Albany River Rats AHL franchise and relocated it to Charlotte, enabling the team to join the American Hockey League for the 2010–11 season while retaining the Checkers name and branding.[2] This move marked the franchise's elevation from the ECHL, where it had won the 1996 Riley Cup championship, to the AHL as the primary affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.[13] Under head coach Jeff Daniels, the Checkers posted a 44–27–2–7 record in their inaugural AHL campaign, finishing third in the East Division with 97 points and advancing to the conference semifinals before falling to the Portland Pirates.[14][42] The affiliation with the Hurricanes, which lasted through the 2019–20 season, provided a steady pipeline of prospects and fostered competitive growth, highlighted by a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018, where they lost to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a series featuring the longest game in AHL history (146:48 of total playing time in Game 4).[43] The following year, in 2019, the Checkers captured their first Calder Cup championship, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4–1 in the finals with a 5–3 victory in Game 5.[44][45] The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2019–20 season, which ended prematurely without playoffs, leading to the expiration of the Hurricanes affiliation amid reported financial and operational disagreements.[46] In September 2020, the Checkers entered a multi-year agreement as the primary affiliate of the Florida Panthers, beginning with the abbreviated 2020–21 season that featured a shortened schedule and limited attendance due to health protocols.[47][48] This shift integrated Panthers prospects into the roster, emphasizing a fast-paced, skill-oriented style aligned with the NHL club's strategy, which influenced player development and on-ice tactics through increased emphasis on transitional play and special teams efficiency.[49] From 2023 to 2025, the organization underwent leadership transitions to support ongoing competitiveness, including Gregory Campbell's promotion from Checkers general manager to assistant GM with the Panthers in September 2023 after three seasons overseeing operations.[50] Paul Krepelka assumed the role of general manager in June 2024, focusing on scouting and prospect integration amid the stable Panthers partnership.[51] The 2024–25 season saw the Checkers return to the Calder Cup Finals, where they fell to the Abbotsford Canucks in six games, underscoring their sustained contention in the AHL.[52]Performance and records
Season-by-season results
The Charlotte Checkers have competed in the ECHL from 1993 to 2010 and in the AHL since 2010, posting a range of regular-season outcomes influenced by affiliation changes and league structures. The table below details their performance metrics across all seasons, including games played (GP), wins (W), losses (L), ties/overtime losses (T/OTL, combined where applicable in early ECHL years), points (Pts), goals for (GF), goals against (GA), penalty minutes (PIM), and divisional finish with notes.[11][14][53]| Season | League | GP | W | L | T/OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish (Division/Conference Notes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | ECHL | 68 | 39 | 25 | 4 | 82 | 281 | 271 | 1519 | 2nd East |
| 1994–95 | ECHL | 68 | 37 | 22 | 9 | 83 | 274 | 261 | 1949 | 2nd East |
| 1995–96 | ECHL | 70 | 45 | 21 | 4 | 94 | 294 | 250 | 2251 | 1st East (American Conference champions) |
| 1996–97 | ECHL | 70 | 35 | 28 | 7 | 77 | 271 | 267 | 1799 | 3rd East |
| 1997–98 | ECHL | 70 | 35 | 24 | 11 | 81 | 251 | 237 | 1662 | 2nd Southeast |
| 1998–99 | ECHL | 70 | 29 | 30 | 11 | 69 | 221 | 262 | 1264 | 3rd Southeast |
| 1999–00 | ECHL | 70 | 25 | 38 | 7 | 57 | 186 | 254 | 1680 | 5th Northeast |
| 2000–01 | ECHL | 72 | 34 | 26 | 12 | 80 | 247 | 252 | 1416 | 3rd Northeast |
| 2001–02 | ECHL | 72 | 41 | 20 | 11 | 93 | 256 | 207 | 1599 | 1st Northeast |
| 2002–03 | ECHL | 72 | 41 | 28 | 3 | 85 | 262 | 234 | 1735 | 2nd Northeast |
| 2003–04 | ECHL | 72 | 31 | 32 | 9 | 71 | 206 | 230 | 1460 | 3rd Southern |
| 2004–05 | ECHL | 72 | 39 | 26 | 7 | 85 | 226 | 219 | 1301 | 2nd East |
| 2005–06 | ECHL | 72 | 33 | 34 | 5 | 71 | 232 | 254 | 1634 | 4th South |
| 2006–07 | ECHL | 72 | 42 | 27 | 3 | 87 | 252 | 220 | 1546 | 1st South |
| 2007–08 | ECHL | 72 | 34 | 31 | 7 | 75 | 212 | 229 | 1276 | 3rd South |
| 2008–09 | ECHL | 71 | 34 | 29 | 8 | 76 | 217 | 224 | 1332 | 3rd South |
| 2009–10 | ECHL | 72 | 43 | 21 | 8 | 94 | 253 | 223 | 1554 | 1st South |
| 2010–11 | AHL | 80 | 44 | 27 | - | 2 | 97 | 265 | 243 | 1318 |
| 2011–12 | AHL | 76 | 38 | 29 | - | 3 | 85 | 209 | 214 | 1067 |
| 2012–13 | AHL | 76 | 42 | 26 | - | 4 | 92 | 226 | 202 | 914 |
| 2013–14 | AHL | 76 | 37 | 36 | - | 1 | 77 | 228 | 241 | 1118 |
| 2014–15 | AHL | 76 | 31 | 38 | - | 6 | 69 | 172 | 231 | 1314 |
| 2015–16 | AHL | 76 | 36 | 32 | - | 3 | 80 | 214 | 229 | 1078 |
| 2016–17 | AHL | 76 | 39 | 29 | - | 7 | 86 | 212 | 208 | 827 |
| 2017–18 | AHL | 76 | 46 | 26 | - | 1 | 96 | 262 | 212 | 902 |
| 2018–19 | AHL | 76 | 51 | 17 | - | 7 | 110 | 255 | 189 | 975 |
| 2019–20 | AHL | 61 | 34 | 22 | - | 5 | 73 | 202 | 172 | 833 |
| 2021–22 | AHL | 72 | 42 | 24 | - | 5 | 90 | 234 | 197 | 862 |
| 2022–23 | AHL | 72 | 39 | 25 | - | 5 | 86 | 235 | 220 | 939 |
| 2023–24 | AHL | 72 | 39 | 26 | - | 7 | 85 | 217 | 203 | 812 |
| 2024–25 | AHL | 72 | 44 | 22 | - | 6 | 94 | 234 | 185 | 846 |
Playoff history and achievements
During their ECHL tenure from 1993 to 2010, the Charlotte Checkers qualified for the playoffs in 13 seasons, showcasing consistent postseason contention in the league.[11] Their most notable success came in the 1995–96 season, when they captured the Kelly Cup as league champions by defeating the Jacksonville Lizard Kings 4–0 in the finals.[8] In that playoff run, the Checkers first eliminated the Huntington Blizzard 3–0 in the division semifinals, followed by a 3–1 series victory over the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks in the division finals, and a 4–1 win against the Richmond Renegades in the conference finals before sweeping Jacksonville.[56] Other deep runs included a conference finals appearance in 2004–05, where they advanced past the first two rounds before falling in the third, and quarterfinal berths in seasons like 2000–01, 2001–02, and 2009–10.[11] Transitioning to the AHL in 2010 as the primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes (and later the Florida Panthers starting in the 2020–21 season), the Checkers have reached the playoffs nine times through the 2024–25 season, including six consecutive appearances from 2016–17 to 2021–22.[14][15] Their pinnacle achievement occurred in the 2018–19 playoffs, where they posted a 15–4 record en route to winning the Calder Cup, defeating the Chicago Wolves 4–1 in the finals with a decisive 5–3 victory in Game 5.[57] That postseason journey featured a 3–1 division semifinal win over the Providence Bruins, a 4–0 sweep of the Hershey Bears in the division finals, and a 4–2 triumph against the Toronto Marlies in the conference finals.[2] In 2024–25, under the Panthers affiliation, the Checkers returned to the Calder Cup Finals for the second time, capturing the Eastern Conference championship with the Richard F. Canning Trophy after sweeping the Laval Rocket 4–0 in the conference finals, but ultimately falling to the Abbotsford Canucks 2–4 in the best-of-seven series, clinched by a 3–2 win in Game 6.[58][59] Additional notable runs include a 2010–11 Eastern Conference finals loss to the Binghamton Senators and a 2021–22 division finals appearance.[14] The Checkers' playoff accomplishments include one Kelly Cup championship (1996) and one Calder Cup championship (2019), along with a second Calder Cup Finals appearance (2025).[8][57] They have secured two Eastern Conference titles via the Richard F. Canning Trophy (2019, 2025) and one Atlantic Division playoff banner (2019).[60][61] In league records, the Checkers participated in the longest game in AHL history during the 2017–18 playoffs, a 2–1 five-overtime loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Game 4 of their division semifinal series, which lasted 146 minutes and 48 seconds of on-ice time.[43]Personnel
Current roster
As of November 9, 2025, the Charlotte Checkers' active roster for the 2025–26 American Hockey League season features a mix of veteran players and prospects assigned from their NHL affiliate, the Florida Panthers. The team currently carries 17 forwards, 10 defensemen, and 3 goaltenders, emphasizing depth in scoring and defensive mobility.[62][63]Forwards
| No. | Player | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jack Devine | 6'0" | 185 lbs | Glencoe, IL |
| 6 | Ben Steeves | 5'9" | 170 lbs | Bedford, NH |
| 9 | Ryan McAllister | 5'10" | 185 lbs | London, ON |
| 10 | Liam McLinskey | 6'3" | 175 lbs | Pearl River, NY |
| 13 | Kai Schwindt | 6'3" | 195 lbs | Kitchener, ON |
| 15 | Anton Lundmark | 6'4" | 192 lbs | Sarestad, Sweden |
| 17 | Tyler Motte | 5'10" | 194 lbs | Georgetown, ON |
| 18 | MacKenzie Entwistle | 6'3" | 193 lbs | Georgetown, ON |
| 19 | Hunter St. Martin | 6'1" | 174 lbs | Edmonton, AB |
| 23 | Jack Studnicka | 6'1" | 187 lbs | Windsor, ON |
| 24 | Gracyn Sawchyn | 5'11" | 157 lbs | Grande Prairie, AB |
| 25 | Wilmer Skoog | 6'2" | 197 lbs | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 26 | Brian Pinho | 6'1" | 190 lbs | North Andover, MA |
| 28 | Nolan Foote | 6'3" | 201 lbs | Denver, CO |
| 29 | Sandis Vilmanis | 6'1" | 192 lbs | Riga, Latvia |
| 36 | Brett Chorske | 6'7" | 216 lbs | Edina, MN |
| 39 | Riese Gaber | 5'8" | 165 lbs | Gilbert Plains, MB |
Defensemen
| No. | Player | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mike Benning | 5'9" | 177 lbs | St. Albert, AB |
| 3 | Ludvig Jansson | 6'0" | 181 lbs | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 5 | Trevor Carrick | 6'1" | 201 lbs | Stouffville, ON |
| 8 | Mitch Vande Sompel | 5'10" | 190 lbs | London, ON |
| 11 | Eamon Powell | 5'11" | 172 lbs | Marcellus, NY |
| 12 | Colton Huard | 6'3" | 225 lbs | Foothill Ranch, CA |
| 14 | Mikulas Hovorka | 6'6" | 229 lbs | Prague, Czechia |
| 21 | Jake Livingstone | 6'4" | 213 lbs | Creston, BC |
| 27 | Marek Alscher | 6'3" | 196 lbs | Slany, Czechia |
| 40 | Tobias Bjornfot | 6'0" | 200 lbs | Upplands Vasby, Sweden |
Goaltenders
| No. | Player | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Mandolese | 6'5" | 207 lbs | Montreal, QC |
| 20 | Kirill Gerasimyuk | 6'2" | 178 lbs | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| 31 | Cooper Black | 6'8" | 223 lbs | Alpena, MI |
Leadership and notable players
The Charlotte Checkers' current leadership includes general manager Paul Krepelka, who oversees team operations and player development as part of the Florida Panthers' affiliate structure.[51] Head coach Geordie Kinnear, appointed in September 2020, guides the team's on-ice strategies and has led the Checkers to multiple playoff appearances since returning to the bench in 2021.[69] Kinnear is assisted by Bobby Sanguinetti, who joined the staff in 2021 to focus on defensive development.[51] For the 2025-26 season, Trevor Carrick serves as captain, marking the eighth leadership role in the AHL franchise's history, with the team opting for rotating alternate captains to build depth in veteran presence.[70] Since the team's inception in 1993, the Checkers have had a series of captains providing on-ice guidance through both ECHL and AHL eras. In the AHL transition starting 2010, Bryan Rodney held the role for the inaugural season (2010-11), followed by Brett Sutter (2011-14), who anchored the defense during early affiliate years with the Carolina Hurricanes.[71] Michal Jordan captained from 2014-15, with alternates Ben Holmstrom and Greg Nemisz supporting the leadership group.[72] Derek Ryan led in 2015-16, Patrick Brown from 2016-19, and Roland McKeown in 2019-20.[71] Zac Dalpe, a franchise cornerstone, served as captain from 2021-25, including alternates Aleksi Heponiemi, Cale Fleury, Max McCormick, and Gustav Olofsson during his tenure.[73]| Captain | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Bryan Rodney | 2010-11 |
| Brett Sutter | 2011-14 |
| Michal Jordan | 2014-15 |
| Derek Ryan | 2015-16 |
| Patrick Brown | 2016-19 |
| Roland McKeown | 2019-20 |
| Zac Dalpe | 2021-25 |
| Trevor Carrick | 2025-present |