GRAHAM TO CHARLOTTE, TKACZUK TO HARTFORD, HILLIER TO WHEELING 

In the AHL transactions yesterday it was pointed out to us by our faithful reader Elsie that two stalwarts of the Checkers were released from their respective PTO’s. Defenseman Ethan Graham spent nearly two months with the Norfolk Admirals and is heading to Charlotte. Rookie Matt Schepke was returned almost as fast as he was recalled by the Albany River Rats and played in the Checkers win over Gwinnett.

What’s interesting, and has been confirmed by a reliable source, is that Daniel Tkaczuk is heading to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Tkaczuk played three games with the Syracuse Crunch and then seven more with the Rochester Americans. He will now play for his fourth team this season and third in the AHL as he’s been signed by the Wolf Pack to a PTO. The Toronto native, over the ten games he’s appeared in thus far in the AHL this season, has no goals and two assists as well as 4PIM. While in Charlotte he posted 6g, 12a for 18pts and 2PIM in 12 games.

The Pack are thin down the middle with the injury to Ryan Garlock and played Andres Ambϋhl on the fourth line pivot against Syracuse.

Here’s the official release from the Checkers on the Graham move. 

GRAHAM RETURNS TO CHECKERS FROM NORFOLK

Defenseman Back In Charlotte After Two-month AHL Call-up

Charlotte Checkers head coach and general manager Derek Wilkinson announced today that defenseman Ethan Graham has been returned to the team from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Graham played in 16 games with the Admirals notching one goal and three assists. At the time of his loan in November, he led all Checkers defensemen in scoring with one goal and three assists in six games. The 27-year-old blueliner had prior AHL experience with Iowa Stars and Hartford Wolf Pack.

In 2008-09, Graham notched five goals and 20 assists in 40 games in his second season as a professional. He led all Checkers defensemen in power-play points with 14 and chipped in with two game-winning goals.

Prior to turning pro, the hard-shooting defender played four seasons at Michigan State University, where he helped the Spartans capture the 2007 NCAA National Championship and was voted the team’s Most Outstanding Defenseman.

In a separate transaction, recent ECHL All-Star Game nominee Matt Schepke was returned to the team from the Albany River Rats (AHL) prior to Sunday’s game.

The Checkers (17-10-4-0) will host the Gwinnett Gladiators today at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

Also, in doing some research on the ECHL, Howlings learned that Ryan Hillier, who was selected by New York Rangers in Round 3 (#84 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft has been reassigned by the Checkers to the Wheeling Nailers in order to get more playing time. Hillier, a 6’0 198 pound left winger from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is still Ranger property.