Another offensive weapon is heading the Checkers’ way as the Hurricanes have assigned Lee Stempniak to Charlotte on a conditioning stint.
Stempniak joins the Checkers as he works to return from an upper-body injury that has kept him from playing this season. The 34-year-old is in his 13th pro season, with 460 points (200g, 260a) to his name in 872 career NHL games. Stempniak has recorded 30 or more points nine times during his NHL tenure, including 91 points over his previous two campaigns.
The veteran forward has played in 26 career AHL games, all of which came with the Peoria Rivermen as a rookie in 2005-06.
The addition of Stempniak adds even more firepower to an already streaking Checkers team. Winners of three straight, the Checkers now have 14 options at forward, though they could be short one in top scorer Lucas Wallmark, who exited Wednesday’s win with an apparent injury and did not return.
