Facing an injury to one player previously recalled from Charlotte, the Carolina Hurricanes have summoned another as they make preparations for Monday's game in Edmonton.
Forward Brock McGinn will begin his third NHL stint of the season for Carolina, which saw fellow 2012 second-round draft choice Phil Di Giuseppe depart Saturday’s game against Nashville due to injury.
Di Giuseppe, who has eight points in his first 14 NHL games and had recently been part of a successful line with Jeff Skinner and former Checker Victor Rask, collided hard into the boards during the second period of the overtime loss against the Predators. According to the team’s official website, he had concerns over his head and shoulder and underwent concussion protocol following the game.
Since last returning from Carolina on Dec. 4, McGinn has posted 12 points (4g, 8a) in just nine games while being held off the score sheet just once. He now ranks third on the team with 19 points and second with 10 goals despite playing in only 19 of the team’s 31 contests. The AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 13, McGinn has an active five-game point streak (6a) that marks the longest of his career, while his simultaneous assist streak is tied for the second-longest of its kind in the AHL.
Though the loss of McGinn will certainly be felt, the Checkers have enough bodies to compensate for Sunday’s game in Ontario as they attempt to extend their franchise-record point streak to 10 games. Ethan Werek, who joined the team on a professional tryout contract on Dec. 26, remains on the roster after sitting out to make way for Brendan Woods’ return from injury on Saturday.
