When the Checkers inked Ethan Werek to an AHL contract this week, they not only locked down a pivotal piece of their offensive corps heading down the stretch of the season, they gave the forward the comfort of knowing where he would be for at least the next two months.
“It’s really nice,” said Werek. “When I was told about it I was pretty ecstatic. I really love the city, love the team and love the guys. So I’m really happy to have that security and stay here for the year.”
Werek has taken a unique road to get to this point. A second-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2009, he spent his first four pro seasons in the AHL being a key contributor for Portland and Providence. But when the 2015-16 campaign rolled around, Werek was without a deal, and headed off to begin the season with the Florida Everblades.
“It was my first time going to play in the ECHL,” said Werek. “It was a humbling experience.”
He wasn’t discouraged though, and his offensive talent immediately made an impact, as he racked up 26 points (12g, 14a) in his first 25 games. Werek’s hot start put him second on the team and tied for 10th in the league in scoring, and that fire helped him get noticed.
“I have to credit [Everblades head coach] Greg Poss, he helped me out a ton,” said Werek. “I came in with the mindset that I was going to be the hardest working guy, the first guy on the ice and the last guy off, and get back to enjoying the game and having fun. I’ve been doing that and I was lucky enough to get called up here.”
As the Checkers exited the holiday break, the found themselves thin up front, with Brendan Woods and Carter Sandlak both hurt and PTO Drayson Bowman jetting off to Europe. In a pinch for a forward who could step straight into the lineup, the Checkers signed Werek to a PTO and the 24-year-old joined them as they headed for California.
Werek lit the lamp in his Checkers debut and quickly integrated himself in the lineup. He has scored in bunches, including a team-best four-game goal streak last month, and has helped buoy a Charlotte offense that has been up and down as of late.
That production and his ability to fit in to multiple slots in the lineup added up to Werek earning himself an AHL contract.
“He brought a lot to our team,” said Morris. “He hangs around the net, he has the ability to win puck battles, and he has a scoring touch. All those things combined have put him in a spot where now he’s becoming a regular with our group. He’s been a welcome addition.”
Werek becomes the second player on a PTO this season to earn an AHL contract from Charlotte, following David Wohlberg. While players earning AHL contracts while on PTOs isn’t a completely uncommon thing, having two in the same season is pretty rare. Even beyond those two, the Checkers have gotten production from some unexpected places this season.
“It’s all about opportunity,” said Morris. “[Daniel] Altshuller gave us the best stretch of goaltending that we’ve had this year. You look at what [PTO signee] Mike Cornell has done. We’ve had a lot of guys stepping up and it’s important that they do. It’d be hard to tell the difference between some of these guys that are getting called up here, and that’s a credit to how badly they want it and how much they appreciate being in the American League.”
While an AHL deal is a nice vote of confidence from the organization to Werek, he is well aware that there is still plenty of work to be put in.
“It adds confidence for sure,” said Werek. “But I know that if I want to keep playing and keep getting in the lineup I need to keep producing and not changing anything. Just keep having fun and be the hardest working guy. Be hungry every day I come to the rink and leave it all out there.”
