Carolina Hurricanes recall Valentin Zykov from Charlotte Checkers

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Sunday that they have recalled forward Valentin Zykov from the Charlotte Checkers. The Russian forward leads the Checkers with 30 goals on the season.

The right-winger has had a fantastic season in the Queen City, recording 48 points and has found the scoring touch which the Hurricanes desperately need. It remains to be seen whether head coach Bill Peters will give Zykov enough ice time to make an immediate impact. The forward did, however, record a goal in two games with the Hurricanes during the 2016-17 season. Zykov is gifted around the net and has a knack for following up on rebound chances.

Zykov leads the AHL in goals and has a four goal lead over former Carolina Hurricane and Charlotte Checker Chris Terry who has 26.

The Hurricanes press release is below:

HURRICANES RECALL ZYKOV FROM CHARLOTTE

Forward leads the AHL in goals this season

The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled forward Valentin Zykov from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Charlotte Checkers, the team announced today.

Zykov, 22, has scored one goal in two career NHL games with the Hurricanes. The 6’1”, 224-pound forward scored his first NHL goal in his NHL debut on March 9, 2017 against the Rangers. Zykov has recorded 48 points (30g, 18a) in 57 games with the Checkers this season and leads the AHL in goals and power-play goals (16). The St. Petersburg, Russia, native has tallied 96 points (53g, 43a) in 168 career AHL games. Zykov was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft and was acquired by the Hurricanes in exchange for Kris Versteeg on Feb. 28, 2016.