Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports
The disappointing 2013 NHL season may be over for the Carolina Hurricanes, but some of the team’s best and brightest prospects are still playing. The Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, reached the playoffs after an impressive regular season and are currently facing the Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers) in the first round. Many of the Checkers’ players saw time with the Hurricanes this season, and are now getting valuable postseason experience. Zach Boychuk has been one of the top performers for the Checkers in the postseason, as his whirlwind season continues.
The Checkers are one of four teams that Boychuk has played for this season. He started off in the Hurricanes’ organization, playing with the Checkers during the lockout. He played one game with the Hurricanes before being waived, was picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins and played seven games there before being waived, then spent five games with the Nashville Predators. He had one goal and two points there, and was then waived again and picked up by the Hurricanes. Boychuk finished the regular season third on the Checkers in scoring with 23 goals and 43 points, an impressive feat in just 49 games. He has a goal in each of the Checkers’ first two playoff games, and will be a big part of any success they have.
Top defense prospect Ryan Murphy is also currently playing for the Checkers, and Brody Sutter (2011, seventh round) has been a solid addition since his call-up from the ECHL. Sutter had three goals and five points in five regular season games, and has two goals and three points in two playoff games. The Checkers will host the Barons for the third game of the series on Wednesday night.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
