To celebrate five years of Charlotte AHL hockey, we asked you, the fans, to pick the All-Time Checkers All-Star team! Your votes have been counted and we are happy to announce the winners throughout this week. Thank you to everyone who voted!
Only three goalies have spent more than one season with the Checkers. Based on your votes, one of those three, Justin Peters, mans the net on the club’s All-Time All-Star Team.
Voting Breakdown: Goalie
| 1. Justin Peters |
86% |
| 2. John Muse |
9% |
| 3. Mike Murphy |
4% |
| 4. Other |
1% |
Peters, who played for the team between 2011 and 2014, holds records for lowest goals-against average (2.47) and highest save percentage (.917) among those with more than 20 games played as a Checker. The 28-year-old, whose seven shutouts tie Muse for most in team history, is the only Checkers goalie to ever appear in an AHL All-Star Classic, having represented the Western Conference in 2013 along with another of this week’s honorees, defenseman Michal Jordan.
A longtime Carolina Hurricanes prospect originally chosen in the second round of the 2004 draft, Peters already had one full season of NHL experience under his belt as Cam Ward’s backup prior to making his Checkers debut in their second AHL season. As the organization’s No. 3 option throughout his tenure with Charlotte, he saw plenty of NHL games during that time due to various injuries. His steady improvement over that time led to him spending the bulk of the 2013-14 season with Carolina and ultimately becoming a full-time NHL player once again with the Washington Capitals this season.
A netminder who built a reputation based on his intensity, work ethic and athleticism, Peters earns the All-Star honor despite having played fewer games than both Murphy and Muse, the latter of whom recently became the franchise’s all-time wins leader.
All-Time Checkers Stats
36-26-4, 2.47 GAA, .917 SV%, 7 SO
Best Season
Taking the reins as the starter for the 2012-13 season, Peters turned in an impressive 22-12-1 record to lead the Checkers to the postseason for the second time in team history. His 22 wins matched the then franchise record, broken by John Muse the next season. Peters also posted a goals against average of 2.29 and a save percentage of 0.921, both of which stand as franchise records for a single season with at least 20 games played. The netminder was also named to the 2013 AHL All Star game, the first Checkers goalie to earn the honor.
Where Is He Now?
Peters signed with the Washington Capitals over the offseason and has served as Braden Holtby's backup for much of the season. He has made eight appearances so far, recording a 2-4-1 record with the Capitals, while also playing two games for the Hershey Bears on a conditioning loan.
