Here are a few tidbits for a Friday afternoon:
Checkers on television throughout Carolinas tonight:
Time Warner Cable will be televising the Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate, Charlotte Checkers game tonight against the Manchester Monarchs on channel 520 (possibly moved to 519), starting at 7 p.m. Voice of the Checkers, Jason Shaya will have the call while former NHL'ers Jason Dawe and Derek Wilkerson will provide commentary.
The Checkers and TWC recently entered into a three year partnership as the cable network agreed to broadcast select games throughout the Carolinas.
"With the exception of our jump to the American Hockey League, no announcement is as significant as the Checkers playing live television games on Time Warner Cable," stated Checkers senior vice president Aaron Osborne. "This partnership will not only allow hockey fans in Charlotte to watch their team on TV, but will also allow fans in Raleigh and throughout the Carolinas to see potential future Hurricanes stars honing their skills."
More information from the team's press release is after the jump.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers announced today that they have entered into a three-year partnership with Time Warner Cable to broadcast Checkers games live on cable television.
The deal involves six to eight broadcasts per season on Time Warner Cable Special Events Channel 520 with the first being Friday, Jan. 14. Channel 520 is available to all Time Warner Cable digital cable subscribers throughout the Carolinas.
The complete broadcast schedule for the remainder of the 2010-11 season includes six games against different opponents and is as follows:
Friday, Jan. 14 vs. Manchester Monarchs, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 21 vs. Springfield Falcons, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 12 vs. Albany Devils, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26 vs. Connecticut Whale, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 12 vs. Binghamton Senators, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 9 vs. vs. Worcester Sharks, 7 p.m.
Race Night at Checkers Game Tonight:
Tonight, the Checkers are holding a "Race Night" featuring Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano. Other race dignitaries will be there, including Winston Kelly, Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Logano, the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, has strong ties to hockey and works closely with the USA Hockey Foundation and the US Paralympic sled hockey team.
"I’m thrilled to support the Checkers at ‘Race Night’ once again," remarked Logano. "I grew up playing hockey and enjoy seeing some of the same fans I see at race tracks at Checkers games. It will be a great time."
For more information, check out this link: Charlotte Checkers Race Night.
Zach Bennett Family to be honored:
If you have not heard the story behind young Zach Bennett and his family, you should check out Chip Alexander's touching story at this link. Checkers Help Special Fan Make A Move.
The Bennetts will be attending this game and some of the proceeds from ticket and jersey sales will directly benefit the Bennet family.
For information about how you can help, email Mike Lappan at mlappan@gocheckers.com
Patrick O'Sullivan Clears Waivers:
Former NC resident Patty O is in the news again. The Canes gave him a try this fall after the Oilers bought out his contract over the summer, as Jim Rutherford signed him to a two-way deal. After a decent enough preseason, he played sparingly when the games counted. Then he ended up being healthy scratched and eventually was placed on waivers.
The Minnesota Wild picked him up and gave him a shot, but apparently things didn't work out as he was put back on waivers yesterday and cleared them today. He'll be reporting to the Wild's farm club in Houston.
What a drop off as he was once looked upon as a rising star in Los Angeles.
The Hockey News Southeast Division Midseason Report:
John Grigg of THN shares his views about the division: Dustin Byfuglien a leading candidate for Norris? Brandon Sutter a disappointment? Tomas Vokoun playing well is a surprise? Check it out here.
Remember Teemu Pulkkinen?
Teemu Pulkkinen is a Finnish prospect who was in the draft last summer. Many Caniacs were hoping the Canes would give him a shot, but he slipped down in the draft and was not selected by anyone until the fourth round, when the Red Wings took a flyer on him.
Here is a recent write up about him by ISS head scout, Ross MacLean:
Detroit Red Wings draft pick, and a personal favorite prospect of mine, Teemu Pulkkinen could easily be considered as one of the tournament’s breakout stars with his explosive playmaking abilities and dangerous shots that came from all over the ice. Pulkkinen looks poised to be another one of those amazing Detroit draft day steals we have all become so familiar with.
Another Zetterberg in the making?
Open Game Thread tonight:
In case people want to chat while they watch the Checkers game on television tonight, we will have an Open Game Thread starting at 7. Zac Dalpe should be in the mix for the Checkers.