In terms of the standings, the final home games of the season on April 11 and 12 didn’t have much importance for the Checkers. A season of struggles was already assured of ending without a postseason appearance, regardless of anyone’s efforts that weekend.
At this time two years ago, the status of Chad LaRose’s hockey career was up in the air. Words and phrases like “hate” and “burnt out” were being thrown around, he expressed no interest in signing with a team and as LaRose told us back in September “I didn’t plan on coming back to play hockey ever again.”
As a family man and a 31-year-old veteran of 12 professional seasons and 16 professional teams, Drew MacIntyre wouldn’t mind a break in what’s been a nomadic, whirlwind career to this point.
While the Checkers will face several big decisions this summer about their goalies and forwards, their defensive corps looks as if it could be the most stable area on the team.
The Checkers’ group of forwards could have a very different look to it heading into next season, with several key pieces looming as free agents. While we will see how those decisions shake out over the summer, one thing we can count on for next season is the large corps of young forwards taking the next steps in their pro careers.
