The Checkers start the 2021-22 season today in Hershey, where they’ll look to mark their return to the ice with a win.
STORYLINES
NEW LOOK CHECKERS
Obviously a lot has changed since the Checkers last played a hockey game. Most notably, the they have not one, but two new NHL affiliates for the season in Florida and Seattle. Meshing the two organizations into one team is certainly a challenge, but one that Checkers Head Coach Geordie Kinnear has embraced from day one, constantly harping on the need for Charlotte to be its own team.“We’re one team now,” said Kinnear earlier this week. “It’s not two separate organizations, we’re one team. We’re playing for the Charlotte Checkers, that’s what it’s all about.”
DALPE DRIVES THE OFFENSE
The Checkers have a new captain, but it’s a familiar face as Zac Dalpe returns to Charlotte for the first time since spending his first three pro seasons here. Since he last donned a Checkers sweater, Dalpe has carved out an impressive career, appearing in over 150 NHL games along with nearly 400 AHL games. He continues to be a lights-out scorer at this level, racking up 70 points in his last 78 AHL games over the last three seasons.Dalpe has spent the majority of Charlotte’s training camp playing alongside Florida prospect Noel Serron, and the duo could combine to be an offensive catalyst this season for the Checkers.
“In Zac I see a leader that has a lot of experience, who has worked his way through the league to be successful and able to play in the National Hockey League and has gone through growing pains and can take a guy like Serron and mentor him,” said Kinnear.
FIRST-ROUND TALENT
Charlotte’s squad has not shortage of highly touted prospects, and one such skater to watch is Grigori Denisenko. The 15th overall selection in 2018, Denisenko has been a standout during Charlotte’s training camp as he aims to break back through to the NHL.“You look at Denisenko, he’s a kid who wants to get better every day, that’s his intent,” said Kinnear. “When we had our skating instructor here he was the guy who was working with him the most. He wants to get better every day. He has the talent, it’s just a matter of when the consistency kicks in. I love his daily preparation to get better.”
PREPPING FOR THE REAL THING
The Checkers did not partake in any preseason games this, as is usually the case. But add in a contracted NHL offseason and the extra wrinkle of the dual affiliation, and Charlotte hasn’t had much time to iron out exactly what their team will look like and how they’ll fare in game situations. They’ve spent the last week getting as close as they could to the real thing, though.“We’ve put in a lot of work this week,” said Kinnear. “I give the guys a lot of credit, they’ve had some long days, but they’ve been dialed in the whole time.
“We’ve put in drills where we say these are live and these are your reps for Saturday night. It’s never going to be the same but if you have that mindset that this is a five-on-five live game to get ready for the season, they’re a little more dialed in on what we’re supposed to do.”
Those game simulations have also given the coaching staff a strong look of how the pieces of their team can come together, though those combinations are hardly set in stone.
“We’ve had some guys who have played some exhibition games together and guys who we’ve seen think along the same lines when they’re out there,” said Kinnear. “We’re going to have to find groups that work well together and stick with that. It’ll be a work in progress but we’re taking steps in the right direction.”
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Looking at the makeup of Charlotte’s roster, one thing that immediately jumps out is the depth in the crease. With Joey Daccord, Christopher Gibson and Antoine Bibeau all vying for a share of the ice time, the Checkers’ goalie battle could be a propulsive force for the squad.“Everyone is going to get an opportunity to play, it’s just a matter of finding the right fit,” said Kinnear. “I have great choices and they’re all going to get their chance. I saw Gibby a little bit last year in Syracuse and obviously I saw him in Florida, and then Joey has been great here since he showed up, he’s been outstanding in practice. I look forward to having those guys, it’s going to be the backbone of our team. We’ll build out from there.”
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Max Gildon - Tied for seventh among all AHL defensemen in scoring in 2020-21 and was named the AHL All-Rookies TeamMaxim Mamin - Tied for second on CSKA Moscow in scoring in 2020-21
Aleksi Heponiemi - Recorded six points in six games for Syracuse last season while also appearing in nine NHL games
HER
Matt Moulson - A veteran of over 1,000 pro games who has racked up 173 pts in 212 AHL games over the last four seasonsGarrett Pilon - Recorded 16 points in 14 games last season for the Bears
Brian Pinho - Scored 20 goals for Hershey in 2019-20 and notched 12 points in 10 games last season
TUNE IN
Tonight's season opener starts at 7 p.m. in Hershey, and as always you can listen to tonight’s game for free via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android. You can also watch via the league’s AHLTV service, which is offering a free preview for all games this weekend.And new for this season, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
