First All-Time Team

With a decade of AHL hockey in the Queen City in the books, we're taking a look at the best players to don a Checkers sweater. After collecting votes from members of the Checkers Communications Department and the fans, we have come up with the First and Second All-Time Teams, presented by Autobell.

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Without further ado, here is the First All-Time Team!

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Center - Andrew Poturalski

The Numbers

238gp | 66g | 110a | 176pts

Resume

• Ranked fourth in franchise history in goals, assists and points
• Ranked in the top eight in franchise history in power-play goals (8th), power-play assists (7th), power-play points (4th) and game-winning goals (3rd)
• Franchise leader in postseason goals and points
• Franchise record holder in assists in a single season (18-19), ranked second in points in a single season (18-19)
• 2019 Calder Cup champion, Calder Cup MVP, AHL Second All-Star Team

Legacy

Andrew Poturalski had a rapid ascent from college free agent to offensive juggernaut, posting at least 49 points in each of his first two season before dropping a 70-point campaign in this third year – one of the most dominant single-season performances this franchise has ever seen. But it was the way he took his game to an even higher level in the postseason that really solidifies Poturalski’s status among the greats. Playing through both an injured hand and a broken foot, Poturalski found the scoresheet at a pace of over a point per game and was an unstoppable force in helping to guide the Checkers to their first ever championship.

Left Wing - Chris Terry

The Numbers

299gp | 104g | 150a | 254pts

Resume

• Ranked second in franchise history in games played, goals, assists and points
• Ranked in top two in franchise history in power-play goals (2nd), power-play assists (t-1st), power-play points (2nd), shorthanded goals (2nd), shorthanded assists (2nd), shorthanded points (t-2nd) and game-winning goals (2nd)
• Holds four of the top 10 single-season point totals in franchise history
• Franchise record-holder in single-season power-play points (13-14)
• AHL All-Star in 2011-12

Legacy

There aren’t many players who displayed the sheer scoring dominance that Chris Terry did during his time with the Checkers. Regardless of the players who passed through Charlotte during that first AHL era, it was Terry driving the offense with both his playmaking sense and his goal-scoring abilities. There’s a reason that Terry remains one of the most popular players to don a Checkers sweater among fans.

Right Wing - Zac Dalpe

The Numbers

171gp | 62g | 69a | 131pts

Resume

• Ranked in top 10 in franchise history in goals (5th), points (7th), plus-minus (t-4th), power-play assists (t-8th), power-play points (5th) and shorthanded points (5th)
• Franchise leader in shorthanded goals
• Has the third-highest goals-per-game average among players with at least 150 games played in a Charlotte sweater
• Franchise record-holder in single-season points, power-play assists and power-play points by a rookie
• AHL All-Rookie Team in 2010-11

Legacy

Zac Dalpe turned in the gold standard for rookie campaigns in Charlotte’s inaugural season, racking up a staggering 57 points in 61 games. His time with the Checkers was limited from there, appearing in 56 and 54 games the next two seasons, respectively, but Dalpe was a lethal offensive weapon each time he took the ice for Charlotte.

Defenseman - Trevor Carrick

The Numbers

347gp | 40g | 141a | 181pts

Resume

• Franchise leader in games played
• Franchise leader among defensemen in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, power-play goals, power-play assists, power-play points and game-winning goals
• Holds four of the top 10 highest single-season point totals in franchise history
• Franchise leader in postseason assists and ranked second in postseason points
• Calder Cup champion

Legacy

Trevor Carrick brought a thrilling skill set with him to the Charlotte blue line. He was a consistent source of points – both from his booming shot and his puck moving abilities – and had a strong physical edge to his game, all while eating a large amount of minutes for the team in all situations. Carrick’s presence on Charlotte’s back end was boon during the team’s thin years and was integral to pushing the fully developed squad to a title.

Defenseman - Bobby Sanguinetti

The Numbers

155gp | 20g | 70a | 90pts

Resume

• Ranked in top 10 in franchise history among defensemen in games played (10th), goals (4th), assists (3rd), points (4th), power-play goals (2nd), power-play assists (2nd) and power-play points (2nd)
• Only defenseman in franchise history to record 50 points in a single season (11-12)
• Only defenseman in franchise history to record 30 power-play points in a single season (11-12)
• Holds franchise record for assists in a single season by a defenseman (11-12)
• Calder Cup champion

Legacy

Bobby Sanguinetti stands as one the most lethal scorers to patrol the Charlotte blue line, responsible for the lone 50-point campaign by a defenseman in franchise history. While his time with the Checkers wasn’t long, Sanguinetti made a lasting impact on the franchise. Then he came back six years later, lending his veteran experience to a talented young team preparing for a title run and picking up where he left off while helping to guide Charlotte to a championship.

Goalie - Alex Nedeljkovic

The Numbers

89-45-11 | 2.57 GAA | .904 SV%

Resume

• Franchise leader in games played, wins and shutouts and is tied for third in goals-against average
• Holds franchise record for wins in a season (18-19)
• Led AHL in wins and goals-against average in 2018-19
• Named AHL’s Most Outstanding Goalie and selected to AHL First All-Star Team in 2018-19
• Calder Cup champion

Legacy

Alex Nedeljkovic’s resume speaks for itself. He proved himself as the league’s top goalie and was one of the biggest catalysts in earning the franchise a championship. Nedeljkovic was as dominant as any goalie to take the ice in Charlotte, building a well-deserved reputation for elevating his game in key situations. He grew through the ups and downs of his early career to put to rest any doubt of his abilities and establish himself as a top-tier netminder.