Hockey >> Minor League Hockey >> AHL >> Charlotte Checkers
May 15, 2026 - Two Checkers players have been named to their countries' rosters for the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Forward Sandis Vilmanis will represent Team Latvia while defenseman Marek Alscher will represent Team Czechia.
Vilmanis, 22, recorded 17 goals and 21 assists in 48 games for the Checkers in the 2025-26 regular season. The Riga, Latvia, native made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on January 10, 2026, skating in 19 games and notching five points (three goals, two assists). Vilmanis represented Latvia at the 2026... Full Story
April 30, 2026 - The goaltending situation in Charlotte heading into the 2025-26 season had a much different look than how the campaign ended.
The Panthers added to their goalie platoon over the summer by signing Brandon Bussi - a 27-year-old AHL standout. With Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov between the pipes for Florida, Bussi appeared destined to be the veteran backstop in Charlotte alongside 24-year-old Cooper Black, who looked to take another step forward in his development.
As is often the case in the world of pro hockey thou... Full Story
April 28, 2026 - "It was a tough pill to swallow."
"I was distraught."
"I don't even know how to describe it. It felt like it wasn't real."
Those were the thoughts that hit Brian Pinho, Jack Devine and Cooper Black, respectively, in the immediate aftermath of Charlotte's early exit from the playoffs on Saturday.
Two days later, as the team filed into an ice-less Bojangles Coliseum for exit interviews, that cloud of disappointment still lingers.
"You don't really have a doubt until it happens," said Ben Steeves. "Some things ju... Full Story
April 25, 2026 - CHARLOTTE, NC- A do-or-die Game 3 between the Checkers and Thunderbirds came down to a winner-take-all overtime, but the Checkers couldn't secure the final goal - dropping the game and the series to Springfield.
The Checkers created plenty of chances in the extra frame, carrying long stretches of play and outshooting the visitors 6-2, but it was a play off the rush for Springfield that ended up in the back of the net with just over five minutes remaining on the clock.
The goalies took center stage for much of the conte... Full Story
The Charlotte Checkers are a minor league hockey team. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, they are a member of the American Hockey League.
Charlotte Checkers News
Alscher, Vilmanis to Play at 2026 IIHF World Championship
May 15, 2026 - Two Checkers players have been named to their countries' rosters for the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Forward Sandis Vilmanis will represent Team Latvia while defenseman Marek Alscher will represent Team Czechia.
Vilmanis, 22, recorded 17 goals and 21 assists in 48 games for the Checkers in the 2025-26 regular season. The Riga, Latvia, native made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on January 10, 2026, skating in 19 games and notching five points (three goals, two assists). Vilmanis represented Latvia at the 2026... Full StoryMore Charlotte Checkers stories below
Cooper Black Ready to Build After Being Thrust into Bigger Role
April 30, 2026 - The goaltending situation in Charlotte heading into the 2025-26 season had a much different look than how the campaign ended.
The Panthers added to their goalie platoon over the summer by signing Brandon Bussi - a 27-year-old AHL standout. With Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov between the pipes for Florida, Bussi appeared destined to be the veteran backstop in Charlotte alongside 24-year-old Cooper Black, who looked to take another step forward in his development.
As is often the case in the world of pro hockey thou... Full StoryDisappointment Hangs over Checkers' Early Playoff Exit
April 28, 2026 - "It was a tough pill to swallow."
"I was distraught."
"I don't even know how to describe it. It felt like it wasn't real."
Those were the thoughts that hit Brian Pinho, Jack Devine and Cooper Black, respectively, in the immediate aftermath of Charlotte's early exit from the playoffs on Saturday.
Two days later, as the team filed into an ice-less Bojangles Coliseum for exit interviews, that cloud of disappointment still lingers.
"You don't really have a doubt until it happens," said Ben Steeves. "Some things ju... Full StoryCheckers' Season Ends with Game 3 OT Loss
April 25, 2026 - CHARLOTTE, NC- A do-or-die Game 3 between the Checkers and Thunderbirds came down to a winner-take-all overtime, but the Checkers couldn't secure the final goal - dropping the game and the series to Springfield.
The Checkers created plenty of chances in the extra frame, carrying long stretches of play and outshooting the visitors 6-2, but it was a play off the rush for Springfield that ended up in the back of the net with just over five minutes remaining on the clock.
The goalies took center stage for much of the conte... Full StoryCharlotte Checkers News
- Alscher, Vilmanis to Play at 2026 IIHF World Championship - May 15, 2026
- Cooper Black Ready to Build After Being Thrust into Bigger Role - April 30, 2026
- Disappointment Hangs over Checkers' Early Playoff Exit - April 28, 2026
- Checkers' Season Ends with Game 3 OT Loss - April 25, 2026
- Checkers Dominate Springfield 8-1 for Game 1 Win - April 22, 2026
- NHL-Tested Checkers Return from Florida with Lessons - April 22, 2026
- First Round Preview: Checkers vs Thunderbirds - April 21, 2026
- Regular Season Wrap Up - April 20, 2026
- Checkers to Face Springfield in First Round of Playoffs - April 19, 2026
- Checkers Power Past Phantoms 4-1 - April 19, 2026
- Checkers Stymied in 2-0 Loss to Phantoms - April 18, 2026
- Bojangles Game Preview: April 18 & 19 vs Lehigh Valley - April 17, 2026
- Panthers Assign Eight Players to Checkers Ahead of Calder Cup Playoffs - April 17, 2026
- Panthers Recall Mikulas Hovorka - April 15, 2026
- Ben Steeves Named Checkers Man of the Year in Community - April 14, 2026
- All Today's News
In Focus
Queen City Grits jersey
Team Photo Gallery
Charlotte Checkers Minor League Hockey
League: American Hockey LeagueHome: Charlotte, North Carolina
Affiliation: Carolina Hurricanes
Website: Charlotte Checkers site
Schedule: Full Charlotte Checkers Schedule
Statistics: Full Charlotte Checkers Statistics
Charlotte Checkers Scoreboard
| Sat., Apr 25 | L | Springfield 2 at Charlotte 1 (Playoff Gm. 3) | Final (OT) |
| Fri., Apr 24 | L | Springfield 5 at Charlotte 2 (Playoff Gm. 2) | Final |
| Wed., Apr 22 | W | Springfield 1 at Charlotte 8 (Playoff Gm. 1) | Final |
| Sun., Apr 19 | W | Lehigh Valley 1 at Charlotte 4 | Final |
| Sat., Apr 18 | L | Lehigh Valley 2 at Charlotte 0 | Final |
| Sun., Apr 12 | W | Hershey 1 at Charlotte 6 | Final |
| All times Eastern On game days, refresh page for latest results Full Charlotte Checkers Schedule and Results | |||
Nearby Teams
- Anthem Rugby Carolina (MLR) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Carolina Ascent FC (GSL) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Carolina Chaos (PLL) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Charlotte Crown (UPSHOT) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Charlotte FC (MLS) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Charlotte Independence (USL1) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Charlotte Knights (IL) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Crown Legacy FC (MLS NEXT Pro) - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Gastonia Ghost Peppers (AtL) - Gastonia, North Carolina
- Hickory Crawdads (CarL) - Hickory, North Carolina
- Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (CarL) - Kannapolis, North Carolina
Charlotte Checkers Headlines
- CHECK: Charlotte Checkers vets led the way in game 1. The bully got bullied & are bullying again - AHL WCNC (April 23)
- CULTURE OVER TANK: Inexperienced Cats obliterated Toronto. Checkers in position for Calder Cup - AHL WCNC (April 13)
- All Today's Charlotte Checkers Headlines
