Affiliate Report - April 2024

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Written by Nicholas Niedzielski
Throughout this season we’re going to check in on how the Florida Panthers and Savannah Ghost Pirates are doing and how former Checkers are helping them with the Affiliate Report - presented by Eastway Regional Recreation Center!

PANTHERS

45-29-4, 3rd in Atlantic Division

The Panthers have officially punched their ticket to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their sixth consecutive trip to the postseason. With their spot locked in, they continue to battle amongst the Atlantic-Division heavyweights and currently sit in third place - trailing Tampa Bay by two points and Toronto by four while holding a four-point edge on the Senators.

CHECKERS MAKING AN IMPACT

  • Jaycob Megna - a native Floridian - made his Florida debut on April 2 and has appeared in each of the Panthers' last four games

  • Rasmus Asplund was recalled and suited up for the Panthers' games against Detroit on April 6 - his third game of the season in a Florida jersey

  • Matt Kiersted also suited up for the game against Detroit, marking his first game with the Panthers this season and his first game in the NHL since Dec. 2022

  • Jesse Puljujarvi has played in each of Florida's last two contests

GHOST PIRATES

29-33-6-1, 5th in South Division

The Ghost Pirates won’t be qualifying for the postseason, but they continue to work their way through the schedule and turned in two of their most impressive wins in their last two contests - earning back-to-back shutouts over the defending champion Everblades and the Solar Bears.

CHECKERS MAKING AN IMPACT

  • Dennis Cesana was selected as team MVP

  • Evan Nause has four helpers in his last four games and ranks second among team defensemen in assists
  • Zach Uens has posted a career high in goals and has been serving as one of the Ghost Pirates alternate captains
  • Cristophe Tellier - who signed a two-year AHL deal with Charlotte that starts next season - has scored two goals in his first three pro games with Savannah