Checkers Open AHL Preseason in Norfolk Tonight

With all the excitement on the Hurricanes send-off game this afternoon, don't forget that the Charlotte Checkers open their preseason tonight in Norfolk, VA, where they face the Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Game starts at 7:30.

To follow the game with live updates, you can head over to the Admirals facebook page or their twitter account @NorfolkAdmirals.

After the jump, some information on who made the trip and another couple links.

From those watching practice Thursday in Charlotte before they headed up by bus to Virginia, these were the lines Coach Jeff Daniels was working with, including Zach Boychuk centering the top line:

Forwards:

Jared Staal -  Zach Boychuk - Chris Terry
Jacob Micflikier - Oskar Osala - Matthew Pistilli
Riley Nash - Mike McKenzie  - Matt Kennedy
Brad Herauf - Cedric McNicoll - Matt Beca

Defensemen:

Michal Jordan - Kyle Lawson

Elgin Reid  - Brett Bellemore

Ethan Graham - Trevor Hendrikx

Goaltenders:
Mike Murphy
Bobby Goepfert

Here is the entire Training Camp roster, (with jersey numbers!)

Jon Matsumoto, Nick Dodge, Casey Borer, Jerome Samson, Nicolas Blanchard and Bryan Rodney did not make the trip, as Coach Daniels is most focused on the "bubble" guys. McNicoll also is not there, and Stefan Chaput might be playing in his slot.

The Checkers host the Admirals for a 1:30 matinee Sunday at their practice rink in Indian Trail. For more information and background on the Checkers Camp, they've set up a new blog called Checkers Chatter.