Across the AHL, no team was more prolific offensively than the Checkers. And propelling that historic attack was a top line that was near unrivaled league-wide.
The Checkers’ first line possessed the player with the league’s highest points per game average in Lucas Wallmark, the league’s leading goal scorer in Valentin Zykov and a player who was leading the league in scoring five months into the season before an injury sent him to the sidelines in Andrew Miller.
Together they formed a lethal combination.
“They all bring a different aspect to the game,” said head coach Mike Vellucci. “Millsy is a skill and thought-process guy who’s a playmaker, Wally is a thinker and a playmaker and Z is a net-front beast who you can’t take the puck away from.”
The trio began playing together toward the end of last season and showed flashes of brilliance. They were then able to carry that bond into this campaign, with their familiarity growing alongside their offensive production.
“We read the game the same way,” said Wallmark. “We work for each other out there and we’re good friends outside hockey too. We really like to play with each other.”
“I had chemistry with Wally and Millsy,” said Zykov. “It’s much easier to have guys around who know what you’re capable of doing and I know what they’re capable of.”
“Those guys are good players and most of all they’re smart,” said Miller. “It’s easiest to play with smart hockey players. We all contributed in different ways but we were good at moving the puck. We didn’t really care who scored, as long as we were putting the puck in it was good for our team. Those guys are great people to play with.”
In his second year as a North American pro, Wallmark scored at an unprecedented clip, leading the team in scoring despite only appearing in 45 games. A model of consistency, the Swede was held off the scoresheet only 13 times all year and just three times over the last three months of the season.
“I got a good opportunity and a lot of ice time in the offensive zone,” said Wallmark. “I played with a lot of confidence this season and felt good out there. The confidence was a big key.”
For Zykov, this season saw him take a huge step on the offensive end, blossoming into one of the league’s premier threats.
“Every year I’m getting more comfortable and more experience,” said Zykov. “That definitely helps. I was very useful right there in front of the net.”
Taking home some hardware at the end as the goal-scoring champ is always a plus too.
“Of course,” said Zykov. “It was nice.”
Miller worked a bit more behind the scenes for much of the season, carrying the puck and orchestrating many of the top line’s attacks. That experienced presence helped the 29-year-old rack up his best scoring output since 2014-15 and sit atop the AHL in points as late as mid-February.
“A lot of good things contributed to it,” said Miller. “Good linemates who worked hard and moved the puck well and were easy to play with. That’s super beneficial. We had a good team and so it’s easier to do well. At the same time it’s kind of just doing what I always do. It was nice to get some recognition there on the AHL scoring rankings.”
It was when Miller took hold of the scoring lead that he suffered a blow, getting tangled up with an opponent and breaking his wrist, an injury that forced him to the sidelines for nearly two months.
“It was tough,” said Miller. “Especially missing the heart of the season, the end of the season there, you lose your legs and some coordination in your hands. It took me a couple weeks to get back to normal.”
Wallmark and Zykov represent two of Carolina’s top offensive prospects in the pipeline, and both were given a shot with the big club this season. The former spent more time than any Charlotte forward, logging 11 NHL games, while the latter made his debut and wowed with seven points in 10 games with the Hurricanes.
Those stints not only gave Carolina a glimpse into their future up front, they reinforced the work the duo has been putting in with the Checkers.
“You always want to play up there with the Hurricanes,” said Wallmark. “When you get the opportunity it gives you a little more confidence and you want to work harder every day. It was fun and it was a big thing to get those games up there.”
“That gave me a lot of confidence,” said Zykov. “It helps you to believe in yourself that you’re capable of playing in that league.”
Wallmark and Zykov were dominant throughout the AHL season, especially when on the ice together, and proved that they both are quickly trending in the right direction.
“I don’t know if I would ever say anyone is beyond this league, but I would say Wally and Z are NHL ready,” said Vellucci. “They deserve the opportunity.”
That’s not to say their ticket to the NHL is guaranteed next season, as both forwards have their eyes set on a strong offseason.
“They’re going to have to have a good summer and make the most of it,” said Vellucci. “When it comes camp time, they’re going to have to earn their spot just like everyone else.”
“I want to be stronger and faster out there,” said Wallmark. “Hopefully I can work on that over the summer and come back and take the next step. I think I can do that.”
“I want to work on my quickness,” said Zykov. “Come back and be ready and be in good shape.”
For the veteran Miller, next season represents a new challenge.
“I signed in Switzerland,” said Miller. “So I’m going to be in Fribourg next year, which I’m excited about.”
This marks the first overseas endeavor for the 29-year-old forward who has nearly 300 AHL games under his belt.
“A bunch of different things made it the right choice for me,” said Miller. “I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
After two seasons as an offensive catalyst for the Checkers, Miller will now aim to take his playmaking abilities with him to the top Swiss league.
“I’m hoping to be a real good offensive player over there,” he said. “My goal is to just play my game. It’ll definitely be a transition to a different style of hockey. It’s bigger ice, which I’ve been told will help me out a bit. But I’ll work hard to adapting to the new game and my new teammates.”
While their paths are splintering off as the offseason begins, the trio of Wallmark, Zykov and Miller will continue to stand as one of the franchise’s most dominant.
“They’re all smart hockey players,” said Vellucci. “They all brought something different to the table. It just clicked."
