Hurricanes Recall Valentin Zykov, Noah Hanifin Out Indefinitely with Concussion

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday that forward Valentin Zykov has been recalled from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. They also announced that defenseman Noah Hanifin has been diagnosed with a concussion and will be out indefinitely.

Zykov was recalled by the team on emergency basis prior to the team’s 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers last week. He was sent down, per league rules, after it was confirmed that he did not have to play due to another player being injured.

The 22-year-old Russian forward leads the AHL in goal scoring (32 goals in 61 games). He also leads the Checkers with 52 total points.

Hanifin represented the team during the NHL All-Star weekend in Tampa Bay in January. He leads all Hurricanes defensemen in goals (8) and is tied with Justin Faulk in points (29). The 21-year-old defensemen left Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers early due to the injury.

The announcement of Hanifin’s injury can be found here.

The official news release of Zykov’s recall is below.

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

Zykov, 22, currently leads the AHL in goals (32) and power-play goals (16) and ranks tied for ninth in the league in points (52) in 61 games for the Checkers. The St. Petersburg, Russia, native has yet to appear in an NHL game this season, and has scored one goal in two career NHL contests with the Hurricanes. Zykov (6’1”, 224 lbs.) has totaled 100 points (55g, 45a) in 172 career AHL games. He 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.