Aleksi Saarela
The Carolina Hurricanes made their first roster cuts of training camp on Friday, assigning eight players that will now report to Charlotte.

Forwards Steven Lorentz, Cliff Pu, Aleksi Saarela and Spencer Smallman, defensemen Josiah Didier, Michael Fora and Josh Wesley, and goaltender Jeremy Helvig will all be with the Checkers as they hold their first full training camp practice at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Monday. They will join an initial group of 11 consisting of players on AHL contracts with Charlotte and tryout invitees.

Of the group assigned Friday, Saarela and Didier played the majority of last season with the Checkers. Saarela ranked third among AHL rookies with 25 goals, while Didier cemented a permanent spot with the team after beginning the campaign with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

An updated Checkers roster, including a list of those still in camp with Carolina, can be found here.