The Florida Panthers have recalled forward Sandis Vilmanis from the Checkers.
Vilmanis, 21, is currently tied for the team lead in points with 19 (eight goals, 11 assists) in 31 games this season. The Riga, Latvia, native is in the midst of his second season in Charlotte, having appeared in 92 AHL games and recorded 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists). In 11 Calder Cup Playoff games last year, Vilmanis scored three goals and added four assists.
Vilmanis was named to Team Latvia’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 on January 6. His selection marked the first time an active Checkers player had been named to the Winter Olympics.
Selected by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Vilmanis played three seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, logging 122 games with the Sarnia Sting and North Bay Battalion.
The Charlotte Checkers announced today the club has signed goaltender Vinnie Purpura to a one-year, one-way AHL contract with the Checkers. In addition, goaltender Michael Simpson has been released from his AHL SPC (Standard Player's Contract).
Purpura, 27, has appeared in nine games in the ECHL this season with the Reading Royals and Savannah Ghost Pirates, posting a 7-2 record with a goals-against average of 1.60 and a save percentage of .948. At this time, Purpura will remain in Savannah.
The Ghost Pirates acquired Purpura from the Royals via trade on December 13. In three ECHL seasons, the Lemont, IL, native has logged a 35-12-8-3 record with a goals-against average of 2.54 and a save percentage of .919.
Before turning pro, Purpura spent five seasons in the NCAA, playing collegiately at Boston University and Long Island University.
