With the 2015 NHL Draft tomorrow, a whole new batch of players who might one day pass through Charlotte will hear their name called and have their pro hockey journey begin. Charlotte has proven to be a beneficial players to begin their pro careers and develop their game in order to best succeed at the next level.
In keeping with this week's theme of looking at past drafts and prospects, I compiled a list of the five most impressive rookie campaigns by a Checkers player in the team's five year AHL existence and looked at what made them special.
5) Ryan Murphy: 22 GP, 3 G, 19 A, 22 Points in 2013-14
It’s kind of cheating to have Murphy on here considering he only played 22 games in Charlotte while spending the majority of his rookie year in the NHL, but what he did in that short time is impressive nonetheless. The first-round pick joined the Checkers in late January and wasted no time chipping in offensively, racking up a trio of helpers in his season debut. Murphy kept up the high pace of scoring, registering the longest point streak in franchise history (12 games) and finishing his first AHL season with a point-per-game average.
4) Riley Nash: 79 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 Points in 2010-11
Originally selected 21st overall in 2007 by Edmonton, Nash never suited up for the Oilers, as his rights were traded to Carolina in 2010 at the conclusion of his junior year at Cornell. The forward jumped straight into the pro game in 2010-11, appearing in 79 of Charlotte’s 80 games and establishing himself as a solid offensive presence. Nash is one of just five rookies in Charlotte’s AHL history to crack the 30-point mark, with his 32 tied for the third-highest total by a first-year Checker. He also helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, the deepest playoff run that the team has seen.
3) Victor Rask: 76 GP, 16 G, 23 A, 39 Points in 2013-14
Rask got a quick taste of the pro level when he began the 2012-13 season with the Checkers, putting up an solid five points in 10 games. While his stay in Charlotte was short-lived, as the organization decided the best move was for
Rask to return to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL in order to get more ice time, when he returned for the 2013-14 season, he was more than ready to contribute. Rask exhibited a well-rounded game and finished fifth on the team in assists and points and tied for fourth in goals, as well as leading team rookies in all three categories. He went through the typical ups and downs that most players endure in their first years, but bounced back and finished strong, establishing himself as a projected top center heading into the next season (though, as we now know, he would be jettisoned to the NHL for 2014-15).
2) Trevor Carrick: 76 GP, 7 G, 25 A, 32 Points in 2014-15
The Checkers fielded one of their youngest lineups ever last season, with several players thrust into big-time roles in just their first or second professional season. One of the players was Carrick, who logged large chunks of ice time throughout the season, eventually establishing himself on the top pairing. It took him some time to adjust and tap into the offensive prowess he showed in junior, but once he got going, Carrick was a force on the blue line. He set franchise records for goals, assists and points by a rookie defenseman, with his 25 helpers ranking second all-time among Checkers rookies. Carrick also played a pivotal role in reviving a Checkers’ power-play that was on pace to be historically bad for much of the season, turning in 13 power-play assists, which led all AHL rookie defensemen. On top of his offensive efforts, Carrick stood as a solid, physical blue liner, setting a franchise record for penalty minutes by a rookie.
1) Zac Dalpe: 61 GP, 23 G, 34 A, 57 Points in 2010-11
While it may come off as less impressive due to coming alongside 60-point seasons from three of his teammates, Dalpe’s rookie season remains the high-water mark for the Checkers franchise. The forward holds the team records for goals, assists and points by a rookie, and in the four seasons since, no first-year player has come within 18 points of his mark. One of just 11 Checkers players to record a 50+ point season and the only rookie to do so, Dalpe’s totals were good enough to put him third among league rookies in scoring, just five behind the leader. He bounced between Carolina and Charlotte for two seasons after before being traded to Vancouver, but that breakout rookie campaign holds as both his personal career high and the most impressive of any Checkers rookie.
