‘CANES ASSIGN TLUSTY TO AHL FOR CONDITIONING STINT

Forward to see action with Charlotte Checkers

Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has assigned forward Jiri Tlusty (YIH-ree T’LOO-stee) to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) for a conditioning stint.

Tlusty, 22, underwent surgery in late April after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) during the 2010 AHL playoffs. The Slany, Czech Republic, native played in one of Carolina’s five 2010 North American preseason games during training camp, as well as the team’s 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Challenge game against SKA St. Petersburg in Russia. Tlusty (6’0”, 209 lbs.) can spend as long as two weeks with the Checkers on his conditioning stint before rejoining the Hurricanes.

The Carolina Hurricanes embark on a five-game road trip beginning with Thursday’s game at Scotiabank Place against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas HD, Hurricanes Radio Network). Following games at Vancouver, San Jose, Los Angeles and Phoenix, the Hurricanes will return to Raleigh to host the Washington Capitals on Oct. 27, at the RBC Center in Carolina’s North American home opener. For information on 2010-11 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.