Checkers training camp is 'built' by Timberstone Homes
Paul Branecky
The Carolina Hurricanes made their deepest round of cuts yet on Thursday afternoon, assigning a total of 12 players to the Checkers.
The group is headlined by forwards Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk and Jerome Samson, who all have NHL experience and were serious candidates to start the season in one of the Canes’ open forward spots. However, Zac Dalpe and Jiri Tlusty filled have filled those holes with standout performances this preseason.
Chris Durno, Jon Matsumoto, Brett Sutter and Chris Terry round out the group of forwards cuts. The moves return last season’s top point producer (Boychuk - 65), top goal scorer (Terry - 34) and top points-per-game player (Samson – 1.02) to the Checker’s roster.
On defense, the Hurricanes assigned Justin Krueger, Mathieu Roy and Bobby Sanguinetti to the Checkers, along with the expected AHL goaltending tandem of Mike Murphy and Justin Peters.
For most of Thursday’s roster cuts, arrival in Charlotte is not yet secured. All but Bowman, Boychuk, Kreuger, Murphy and Terry are on waivers until noon on Friday, meaning another NHL team could claim their services without giving compensation to Carolina. Look for news about their status around that time.
On the other side of the cuts, defenseman Justin Faulk and center Riley Nash remain in Raleigh along with Dalpe and recently-drafted defenseman Ryan Murphy. Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice has indicated that Nash will start the season in Charlotte (he’s currently filling in for the slightly-injured Tuomo Ruutu on the Canes’ second line), but the future is less certain for Faulk. The 19-year-old defenseman, who began his professional career during the Checkers’ playoff run last season, has impressed during the preseason and will continue to battle for a spot on the NHL team’s blue line.
Murphy, an 18-year-old Canadian junior player, is not eligible to start the season with the Checkers.
All of Thursday’s AHL assignments, should they clear waivers where applicable, will be eligible to join the Checkers in time for their upcoming preseason games against Lake Erie on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at Extreme Ice Center.
Timberstone Homes provides a Custom Experience at a price you can afford by providing a caring staff, exceptional value and superior building materials. Whether you are looking to upgrade or downsize your home, Timberstone Homes tries to make the transition as easy on the homebuyer as possible, with a wide range of innovative floor plans and convenient community locations. Start your custom experience today at www.timberstone-homes.com or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/timberstonehomes. 
