Trevor Carrick
Charlotte’s top-scoring defenseman Trevor Carrick is headed to the NHL for the first time.

Ahead of their matchup tonight with the Washington Capitals, the Carolina Hurricanes have recalled the second-year blue liner. In 58 games with the Checkers this season, Carrick has racked up 37 points (9g, 28a), putting him just six off of the team lead and tying him for sixth among AHL defensemen. The 21-year-old has also been deadly on the man advantage, leading the team and ranking third among league defensemen with 21 power-play points.

A fourth-round pick in 2012, Carrick has spent the entirety of his pro career with Charlotte. He set franchise records for a rookie defenseman last year for games played, goals, assists, points, power-play assists and power-play points and ranked third on the team overall in scoring. He has kept that momentum going into his sophomore campaign, where his 37 points are already the third-most in a single season by a Checkers defenseman.

The move leaves the Checkers with six healthy blue liners available for tonight’s contest in Rockford, the first leg of a seven-game road trip.