NOREN A “HALL-OF-FAMER”

Former Charlotte Checkers forward Darryl Noren will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame today during a ceremony at the 2010 All-Star Game in Ontario, California.

Noren skated for six seasons with the Checkers and is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 174 goals and 229 assists for 403 points. His 365 games are second only to defenseman Kurt Seher, who manned the blueline in the Queen City for 10 seasons.

The former team captain, and later player/assistant coach, began playing in the ECHL as a rookie in 1990-91 with Greensboro and played 10 seasons, including his final six in Charlotte. He ranks third in ECHL history with 685 points, fourth with 390 assists, seventh with 295 goals and 14th with 549 games.

The native of White Lake, Michigan helped the Checkers capture the ECHL Championship in 1996 and had 41 points (18g, 23a) in 48 postseason games. He was selected to the 15th Anniversary All-ECHL Team in voting by coaches, players, front office personnel and media from the first 15 years of the ECHL and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Charlotte Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. He was chosen to play in the ECHL All-Star Game in 1995, 1997 and 1998.

Noren finished his career in 1999-2000 as the ECHL all-time leader in games, assists and points. He scored 30-or-more goals five times including a career-high 46 in 1994-95. He also tied the ECHL record with three consecutive three-or-more goal games in December of 1994 and had seven games with three-or-more goals in 1994-95.

Noren will be inducted, along with Cam Brown, E.A. “Bud” Gingher and Olaf Kolzig, during a luncheon ceremony today at the Hilton Ontario Airport, as part of the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game presented by Reebok Hockey.

The Checkers (21-13-5-0) will host the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night for “Race Night”. Game time is 7pm. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com. Fans are encouraged to attend the autograph session with Joey Logano and other drivers beginning at 6pm.

(Photo courtesy of ECHL.com)