Even so, there were roster decisions to be made and rookie Carter Sandlak often found himself with the short end of the stick, being tapped as a healthy extra 25 times throughout the season. But despite the decreased playing time, Sandlak took a positive response out of his first pro year.
“I was the odd man out a couple games and nobody likes to sit out,” said Sandlak. “But I feel that hard work does pay off. I had good practice habits, I was working hard on and off the ice. I know when I get my chance for a full year then I’ll show them what I can do.”
When Sandlak did make it into the games, he filled a very specific role for the team. As a primarily fourth line grinder- type, he came away with just four points (2g, 2a) in 44 games, but made his presence felt in several other areas of the ice and was comfortable in knowing his most effective role.
An undrafted free agent, Sandlak was able to join several Checkers rookies in navigating the transition to professional hockey together. That group mentality, mixed with a strong leadership core, helped smooth that jump for Sandlak and the others.
“It’s good to have guys like Chad LaRose and Justin Shugg and all the older guys like that on the team to kind of ease you in and show you the ropes and stuff,” said Sandlak. “It’s a great group of guys in there. They showed the young guys how to be a pro and how to play the game. We learned every day and didn’t take that for granted.”
The 22-year-old now heads into the offseason yearning to work his way into an everyday slot in the Checkers lineup. Sandlak took a short ECHL stint in Florida toward the end of the season, where he came away with three assists in three games, and will now look to build upon that success. Should he embrace his role, Sandlak could fill that gritty, fourth line position next season in Charlotte and, eventually, Carolina.
“It’s going to be a big summer for me,” said Sandlak. “I’ve got to get faster and stronger if I want to play up there with the big guys. So it’s going to be a big summer and hopefully I’ll come back here and have a good camp and have a good start to the year and then you never know what’s going to happen.”
