It's currently the AHL's All-Star break, signaling the end of the first half of the 2015-16 season and the start of the second half push for the playoffs.
With the team enjoying a few days off before returning to the ice Friday, let's take a player-by-player look at how the team has fared through the first half of the season.
Next up are the defensemen.
TREVOR CARRICK | 40 GP, 9g-19a-28pts
Coming off a record-breaking rookie campaign, Carrick has kept the ball rolling in the first half of this season. He has emerged as not only the team’s biggest weapon on the blue line, but one of the top offensive defensemen in the AHL. Selected as an All-Star for the first time in his young career, Carrick entered the break tied for fifth among league defensemen in scoring and tied for third in goals. He has already surpassed his previous season total for goals and is just four shy of his point total in nearly half the amount of games. The second-year pro has been a catalyst for the Checkers’ highly-touted power-play unit, sharing the team lead with 14 power-play points, and looks to be finding his scoring touch more and more as the season progresses. With seven points in his last six games, Carrick should be a big piece of the Checkers’ second half run.
JAKE CHELIOS | 40 GP, 5g-19a-24pts
Chelios has enjoyed a strong start to his first season in Charlotte, fitting right in on the high-powered blue line. The 24-year-old is one shy of his total number of games played during his rookie season with the Chicago Wolves last year and has already eclipsed his goal, assist and point totals. Originally penciled in as the seventh defenseman when he joined the team over the offseason, Chelios has taken a big step forward in his play and has established himself as a permanent fixture on the Checkers blue line, even excelling on the power play, where his 13 points are the second-most on the team. The second-year-pro’s scoring has come in bunches, as he has recorded four point streaks of three goals or more through the first half, and he will head back into action with nine points in his last 11 games.
RASMUS RISSANEN | 33 GP, 2g-10a-12pts
The longest-tenured skater on the Checkers’ blue line, Rissanen has continued to be a stabilizing force for the back end. While he has leaned more toward the stay-at-home side of things than some of his counterparts, Rissanen has still been able to contribute on both sides of the game. The fifth-year pro has already set a new career high with 12 points in just 33 games so far.
DANNY BIEGA | 27 GP, 3g-5a-8pts
After a strong start to the season, an injury has forced Biega to miss the last 11 games heading into the break. The blue liner scored three goals during the 27 games he played in the first half, matching his career high. Like Rissanen, Biega has taken on more of a defensive-minded role this season and has impressed, with his +5 rating the best among team defensemen. When Biega is able to return to the lineup, the Checkers will surely benefit.
MIKE CORNELL | 23 GP, 3g-3a-6pts
Brought on as a PTO last season, Cornell was again called upon in November when injuries and recalls left some holes in the Checkers’ blue line. Since then, Cornell has impressed enough to earn a regular spot in the lineup. While not the biggest defenseman out there, he has brought a grittiness to Charlotte’s back end that head coach Mark Morris has praised. Cornell isn’t afraid to drop the gloves, racking up 70 penalty minutes in just 23 games and giving the Checkers another physical force behind Kyle Hagel. With his PTO nearing its end, the Checkers will have to make a decision on the defenseman’s status, but should he be around in the second half, he could be a strong physical presence as the team fights toward the playoffs.
KEEGAN LOWE | 34 GP, 2g-4a-6pts
An injury took a chunk out of Lowe’s first half, but he has nevertheless looked solid. The young blue liner isn’t the flashiest player, but has been a key component on the back end. He has continued to grow into a more physical role while also matching his career high with a pair of goals. Most of Lowe’s scoring in the first half came from one hot stretch – four points in nine games – but he has been held scoreless in his last 14 games before the break. If he can get his offensive game going again to compliment his physical play, Lowe could be poised to make an impact in the second half.
