Rookie forward Zach Boychuk was reassigned to Albany this morning after collecting his first NHL point last night, an assist on Tim Gleason's third-period goal in the Hurricanes 3-2 loss at Columbus.
With both Carolina and Albany off until Wednesday, the Canes must be banking on Ray Whitney being ready to return to the lineup when the team hosts the Kings at the RBC Center.
Here is the release from the team:
HURRICANES REASSIGN ZACH BOYCHUK TO ALBANY
Forward played in Carolina's last two games, earned first NHL point
RALEIGH, NC — Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has reassigned forward Zach Boychuk to the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Boychuk, 20, was recalled to Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 5, and made his NHL-season debut on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the RBC Center. The Airdrie, Alb., native then collected his first NHL point on Saturday at Columbus with an assist on Tim Gleason's third-period goal. Along with the assist, Boychuk (5’10", 185 lbs.) registered six shots on goal and an even plus/minus rating in the two games, while averaging 14:35 of ice time per game. He returns to Albany where he has scored four goals and earned five assists (9 points) in 12 AHL games thus far in this, his first full professional season. Carolina drafted Boychuk in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.