Checkers Announce 2026-27 Schedule

July 9, 2026 - The 2026-27 schedule is officially out! We're going to break down some of the noteworthy points about the slate, but first take a minute to add the schedule to your phone calendar, print a copy out for your office and lock in season tickets, a mini plan or a group outing! Charlotte will open up the 2026-27 campaign on the road with a visit to Hershey on Oct. 3, marking the earliest start to a season in franchise history. Following a four-game trek through Hershey, Providence and Springfiel... Full Story


July 2, 2026 - A familiar face is back in the organization as the Panthers have agreed to terms with Casey Fitzgerald on a one-year, two-way contract. The 29-year-old blue liner spent the 2023-24 campaign in Charlotte, tying for third among team defensemen with 21 points (4g, 17a) and leading the Checkers in penalty minutes (65) over 69 appearances. Since then Fitzgerald has spent the past two years with the Hartford Wolf Pack, including a career-best showing of 23 points (4g, 19a) in 71 games last seaso... Full Story

July 1, 2026 - The Panthers were busy on day one of free agency, including adding four depth pieces that could have an impact on the Checkers this season. Florida agreed to terms on one-year, two-way contracts with forwards John Beecher, Bokondji Imama and Sam Lafferty and defenseman Tobias Bjornfot. Beecher, 25, split last season between Boston and Calgary, totaling seven points (3g, 4a) in 35 games to bring his NHL total over five pro seasons to 28 points (13g, 15a) in 165 contests. A first-round pick ... Full Story

June 30, 2026 - The Florida Panthers announced Tuesday that they have traded Ben Steeves to the New Jersey Devils as part of the deal to acquire Jacob Markstrom. The full deal has Florida sending Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Steeves to New Jersey in exchange for Markstrom and Angus Crookshank. Steeves, 24, led the Checkers in goals (23) and points (45) last season and ranked second in assists (22). Over his two-plus seasons in Charlotte, Steeves recorded 75 points in 140 games and was twice named th... Full Story

• Panthers Trade Ben Steeves to New Jersey - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) June 30
• Florida Extends Qualifying Offers to Steeves, Bjornfot and Hovorka - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) June 29
• Panthers Make Six Selections at 2026 NHL Draft, Open Dev Camp this Week - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) June 29
• Checkers Sign Vande Sompel, Bitten, Purpura and Fantilli - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) June 12
• Panthers Agree to Terms with Cooper Black on Two-Year Extension - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) June 8
• Alscher, Vilmanis to Play at 2026 IIHF World Championship - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) May 15
• Cooper Black Ready to Build After Being Thrust into Bigger Role - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 30
• Disappointment Hangs over Checkers' Early Playoff Exit - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 28
• Checkers' Season Ends with Game 3 OT Loss - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 25
• Checkers Dominate Springfield 8-1 for Game 1 Win - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 22
• NHL-Tested Checkers Return from Florida with Lessons - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 22
• First Round Preview: Checkers vs Thunderbirds - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 21
• Regular Season Wrap Up - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 20
• Checkers to Face Springfield in First Round of Playoffs - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 19
• Checkers Power Past Phantoms 4-1 - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 19
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