Hurricanes Recall Brock McGinn, Brett Pesce Ahead Of Road Trip

The Carolina Hurricanes gave two players their first NHL promotions Wednesday, recalling forward Brock McGinn and defenseman Brett Pesce from the Charlotte Checkers. The Canes play back-to-back road games in Detroit and Washington on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to kick off a seven-game road trip. Both players were among the final roster cuts on Oct. 3.

Pesce, 20, is in his first full professional season and gives Carolina seven defensemen to take on the road. Carolina had previously recalled Danny Biega from Charlotte following the knee injury to veteran James Wisniewski, but opted instead for Pesce — who has just four professional games under his belt — ahead of the team’s annual North Carolina State Fair road trip. Pesce is a right-handed shot, so Carolina could opt for him ahead of left-handed Michal Jordan to better balance their defense pairings. He has one goal and one assist in two games for the Checkers this season.

McGinn, 21, was recalled after it was revealed Joakim Nordstrom was battling an injury suffered Oct. 10 against Detroit at the home opener. McGinn has scored twice through two games — both in the Checkers’ season-opening win on Oct. 10 — and has recorded a team-high 13 shots for 2-0 Charlotte. McGinn had 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 73 games as a rookie with the Checkers last season.

Here is the release from the team:

‘CANES RECALL McGINN, PESCE FROM CHARLOTTE
Carolina begins seven-game road swing at Detroit on Friday

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has recalled forward Brock McGinn and defenseman Brett Pesce from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).

McGinn, 21, netted a pair of goals during Charlotte’s two road victories last weekend against Iowa. The Fergus, Ont., native has totaled 17 goals and 12 assists (29 points) in 79 games for the Checkers since turning professional. He totaled 172 points (93g, 79a) in 227 career Ontario Hockey League (OHL) games for Guelph between 2010 and 2014, helping the Storm reach the Memorial Cup championship game in 2014. Carolina’s second-round selection (47th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, McGinn (6’0", 185 lbs.) is the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres forward Jamie McGinn and Syracuse Crunch (AHL) forward Tye McGinn.

Pesce, 20, earned a pair of assists during Charlotte’s opening weekend sweep of Iowa. The Tarrytown, NY, native is in his first full professional season after completing a three-year career at the University of New Hampshire with 43 points (11g, 32a) in 110 games. Pesce (6’3", 200 lbs.) was selected by the Hurricanes in the third round (66th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, and made his professional debut with Charlotte in April, notching one assist in four games.