ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Announce Team Captains

October 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - General manager and head coach of the Charlotte Checkers, Derek Wilkinson, announced today that forward, Blake Bellefeuille, will be the captain during the 2007-08 season.

The Framingham, Mass. native played 68 games last season for Charlotte scoring 29 goals and 35 assists for 64 points. Bellefeuille spent the last two seasons in Charlotte while splitting time in the American Hockey League with both the Philadelphia Phantoms and Hartford Wolf Pack. He played five games for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League from 2001-03.

Also, Wilkinson announced that defenseman, Kenton Smith and forward, Lee Falardeau will be assistant captains for the Checkers.

Smith will be returning for a fifth season in Charlotte. The Edmonton, Alberta native played in all 72 games two years in a row for the Checkers. Last season, he accumulated 29 points (6g, 23a) and was the team's selection for the ICHG Ironman Award.

Falardeau skated in 27 games with the Checkers and totaled eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points last season while also playing 16 games with the Wolf Pack garnering one goal and two assists for three points. The Midland, Mich. native had his best offensive campaign with Charlotte during the 2004-05 season when he registered 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points which was good for fifth in team scoring.

The Checkers enter their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL on Oct. 19 against the Columbia Inferno. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. The Checkers are accepting deposits on all ticket packages. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 16, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central