It’s even rarer to see players in the AHL the same year they’re drafted, as the 20-year-old age restriction forces their NHL club to either keep them in the big leagues or send them back to junior. What that means for the Checkers is that the players selected by Carolina on Friday most likely won’t have much of an effect here for a while. So instead, we’re going to shift our focus to players taken in the last three drafts that have a chance at donning a Checkers’ jersey next season.
DANIEL ALTSHULLER (2012, 3rd round – 69th overall)
Scouting Report- The 6-foot-3 netminder backstopped the Oshawa Generals for three seasons, including a strong rookie campaign that earned him the Dinty Moore Trophy, awarded to the rookie with the lowest goals-against average, and a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team, before turning pro prior to the start of last season. The 20-year-old dressed for three games for the Checkers, backing up John Muse while Drew MacIntyre participated in the Spengler Cup, and spent the rest of his rookie campaign in the ECHL with Florida. Allen York and Andy Iles handled the majority of the workload for the Everblades, but Altshuller found his way into 14 games, logging an impressive 8-3-1 record despite registering a 3.21 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage. Injuries to the other netminders forced the rookie into six games during the team’s Kelly Cup Playoff run as well, including a 30-save shutout in game six of the first round to eliminate the Orlando Solar Bears.
2015-16 Projection- With MacIntyre back in the fold as the organization’s number three goalie, the battle for who will be alongside him in Charlotte will come down to Altshuller and undrafted free agent signee Rasmus Tirronen. Tirronen, 24, appeared in one game for the Checkers at the end of last season and earned a win. The most likely scenario is that one goalie will back up MacIntyre here in Charlotte while the other joins the Everblades. John Muse is also a candidate for the number two goalie spot, as he has been brought on each of the last four seasons. He is currently an unrestricted free agent, however, making his status uncertain, whereas the other two goaltenders are under contract.
ERIK KARLSSON (2012, 4th round – 99th overall)
Scouting Report- Having spent the entirety of his young career in his native Sweden, Karlsson is somewhat of an unknown commodity to most people. And while his numbers over his first two pro seasons aren’t gaudy, the fact that he has spent significant time in the Swedish Hockey League, often considered one of the top leagues in the world, as a teenager is impressive in its own right. Most reports have him pegged as a solid forward with good speed, and Carolina GM Ron Francis said as much in the press release when Karlsson signed an entry-level deal last summer.
2015-16 Projection- Every year since he has been drafted, Karlsson has been a candidate to join the Checkers, but he has yet to make the jump over to North America. The 20-year-old has attended the last few prospect camps and is likely to again this year, but his decision will come after that. Should he not make the Hurricanes out of training camp, Karlsson will have to choose whether to play in the AHL for Charlotte or return to his Swedish team, Frolunda HC.
Brendan Collier (2012, 7th round – 189th overall)
Scouting Report- Collier began his collegiate career with Boston University, appearing in 28 games for the Terriers, but was cut following the season, prompting a transfer to Northeastern University. Unlike Olson, however, Collier did not have to sit out a season, as the NCAA issued him a waiver and he spent the 2014-15 season with Northeastern. A highly-touted offensive weapon out of high school, Collier hasn’t been able to produce much at the college level, but still has two years of eligibility to continue developing his game.
2015-16 Projection- Collier has yet to sign an entry-level contract, likely indicating that he will be returning to school in the fall, but is eligible to join the Checkers should the Hurricanes decide to offer him a contract.
Brett Pesce (2013, 3rd round – 66th overall)
Scouting Report- Pesce spent three seasons anchoring the blue line for the University of New Hampshire. Francis has described him as a “big, puck-moving defenseman” and he didn’t look out of place at the next level during a stint with the Checkers late last season. Pesce shook off any signs of a shaky start and turned in solid performances in four games for Charlotte, recording an assist and logging significant ice time in all situations.
2015-16 Projection- By signing an entry-level contract and appearing in Charlotte, Pesce has forgone his NCAA eligibility and will turn pro next season. Barring him making the Hurricanes out of camp, the 20-year-old will take up residence on the Charlotte blue line and look to replicate the first-year success we saw from fellow defensemen Trevor Carrick and Dennis Robertson last season.
Tyler Ganly (2013, 6th round – 156th overall)
Scouting Report- The Hurricanes continue to stockpile defensive prospects in Charlotte, as Ganly could join an increasingly young Checkers’ blue line. The 6-foot-2 defenseman has spent three seasons in the OHL on a strong Sault Ste. Marie team loaded with talent. This past season, serving as an alternate captain, Ganly was sidelined for a large chunk of the season due to an injury, but still turned in a strong season, at least in the eyes of Francis. Ganly returned for the playoffs and helped lead the Greyhounds to the OHL conference finals, where they fell in six games to Erie.
2015-16 Projection- At 20 years old, Ganly is eligible to play in the AHL next season. Should he forgo his overage season in junior and not make the Hurricanes out of training camp, Ganly would play out his rookie season along the Charlotte blue line or developing in the ECHL.
Lucas Wallmark (2014, 4th round – 97th overall)
Scouting Report- The most recently signed draft pick, Wallmark is like Karlsson in that he has yet to play in North America, having spent his first two professional seasons in his home country of Sweden. Also like Karlsson, Wallmark has been honing his game in the top Swedish league, where his 13 assists last season ranked sixth on Lulea HF despite being just 18 years old. He led Lulea in scoring during the 2015 playoffs and represented Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship, sharing the team lead in goals.
2015-16 Projection- Since he was drafted out of Europe, Wallmark is immediately eligible to play in Charlotte, but should he not make the Hurricanes out of camp, there is the strong possibility that he could opt to return to Sweden and continue to play for Lulea.
