Game Preview: Checkers at Texas (Oct. 15, 2016)

The 2016-17 season is finally here!

Here are nine things to watch for this weekend as the Checkers take on the Texas Stars.

1. STARTING OUT

Last night's loss drops the Checkers to 3-3-1 all time in season openers. The good news is that they'll have a chance for redemption tonight, holding a 3-2-1 record over their history in the second game of the season..

The Checkers have earned at least one point in their first two-game series of the year in five of their six AHL seasons, with the lone sweep coming in 2014-15.

2. TOP TIER

When the Checkers take the ice in Texas, they will be trotting out four of their top five scorers from a season ago (with the other being Andrew Miller, who remains sidelined with an injury). Derek Ryan, Brock McGinn and Sergey Tolchinsky accounted for nearly a third of the team’s goals last year, while Trevor Carrick led the blue line with the third-highest single-season point total by a defensemen in franchise history.

3. STRUGGLES ON THE ROAD

A new season means a fresh start, which is good news for the Checkers, who struggled mightily away from home down the stretch last season.

After ending last season with a 5-10-3 stretch on the road, Charlotte has now lost four consecutive road games dating back to last season.

The bright side for the Checkers is that that downturn appeared to be an anomaly, as they still finished the season tied for the third-most road wins in the Western Conference.

4. SCOUTING THE STARS

The Checkers and Stars faced off as division rivals for several seasons before Texas’ move to the Pacific Division a season ago. After going 2-1-0-1 against the Stars last year and dropping last night's contest, Charlotte holds a 13-15-1-4 record overall against them and a 5-9-0-3 mark in Texas.

Individually, Brock McGinn and Derek Ryan did the most damage against the Stars last season, each notching six points in four games (1g, 5a for the latter, 5g, 1a for the former). On the other side, defenseman Julius Honka put up five points (2g, 3a) in four games against Charlotte a season ago. Meanwhile, longtime Star Travis Morin has torched the Checkers over the years, amassing 28 points (8g, 20a) in 27 career games versus Charlotte.

6. BRICKLEY STEPS IN

After Tuesday’s deal, the Checkers will open the season without Brody Sutter in the lineup for the first time since 2012-13. But they will have Connor Brickley, who will be looking to keep his hot streak going from the end of last year. Dating back to last season, the 24-year-old forward is on a five-game point streak, having logged 18 points (7g, 11a) in his last 18 games thanks to a helper last night in his first game with Charlotte.

7. DWYER RETURNS

The Checkers made another splash on Tuesday by inking veteran forward Patrick Dwyer to an AHL contract. A member of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2008-09 to 2014-15, Dwyer spent last season in Sweden before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as a training camp invite prior to signing in Charlotte. While his last AHL stint came in 2009-10, when he put up 19 points (11g, 8a) in 23 games, Dwyer spent four full seasons in the league from 2005-06 to 2008-09 and recorded at least 40 points in three of them.

8. APPROACHING MILESTONES

It may only be the first two games of the season, but several Checkers have career milestones within reach right away. Trevor Carrick sits one games away from 150 as a pro, while new defenseman Matt Tennyson is two shy of 50 AHL assists. Jake Chelios is nearing a point milestone too, needing three to reach 50 in the AHL.

In addition to those milestones, several players made debuts on Friday. Clark Bishop and Lucas Wallmark played their first games as a pro (in North America for the latter), while Alex Nedeljkovic made his AHL debut.

9. TUNE IN

Be sure to join Jason Shaya 15 minutes before puck drop tonight as he embarks on his 10th season calling Charlotte Checkers games. Don’t forget to tweet him (@Jason_Shaya) during the game with any questions or comments!