There have been 120 players that have come through Charlotte and donned a Checkers sweater. For the next few weeks, we’re going to take a look at former Checkers players and see where their careers have taken them since their stint in Charlotte.
Jacob Micflikier only spent one season with the Checkers, but he definitely made it count. In 2010-11, his fourth professional season, Micflikier was a key part of the inaugural AHL team, scoring 61 points, just four shy of the team lead. Most notably, the Winnipeg native racked up 29 goals, which stands as the third-highest single-season total by a Checker.
Following that campaign, Micflikier would spend one more season in North America, recording 56 points in 57 games for the Hershey Bears, who were ousted in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. The free agent would then cross the Atlantic to star for Biel of the Swiss-A League. Playing alongside NHL standouts Patrick Kane and Tyler Seguin, who suited up for the team during the NHL lockout, Micflikier led the team in scoring with 50 points (21g, 29a) in 48 games, good for fourth overall in the league.
For the 2013-14 season, Micflikier jumped over to the KHL, but spent just 11 games with Minsk Dynamo before returning to Switzerland to play for Lugano. Despite playing 15 fewer games than the team leader, Micflikier’s 16 goals ranked second on the team, just two shy of the lead.
This past year saw the forward join his third European league, this time in Sweden. Micflikier signed with Linkopings of the SHL and again found his scoring touch, tying for second on the team with 47 points (24g, 23a). His offensive ability stood out in the historically low-scoring SHL, with those 47 points ranking third in the league, 13 points behind the leader, recent Carolina signee Derek Ryan.
Micflikier has now inked a deal to remain in the SHL next season, this time with Lulea HF. With his goal and point totals peaking with his tenure in Charlotte, the 31-year-old will be looking to continue to build his offensive game back up overseas.
