After his impressive hat trick last night in Iowa, Matt Tennyson is heading for the NHL.

The Hurricanes have recalled the blue liner from Charlotte, bringing their total to seven healthy defensemen after waiving Jakub Nakladal and placing Justin Faulk on injured reserve. Carolina takes its home ice tonight for a matchup with the Washington Capitals.

Tennyson, who served as the Checkers’ captain last night, leads team defensemen in scoring and is tied for third among league blue liners in goals. The 26-year-old has also registered a plus-seven rating, good for second-best on the team, and is tied for the team lead with four points on the power play.

Acquired as a free agent over the offseason, the fifth-year pro has 60 NHL games under his belt, all with San Jose.

In a corresponding move, the Checkers have recalled Josh Wesley from the ECHL’s Florida Everblades to bring their total number of defensemen back to seven as they prepare to face Rockford in the final leg of a three-in-three set tonight. Wesley, who served as a healthy extra with Charlotte before being sent to Florida, appeared in four games during his stay with the Everblades, logging three points, including his first pro goal.

Additionally, defenseman Jakub Nakladal has cleared waivers and been assigned to Charlotte, but will not be joining the team for tonight’s game.