When looking back on the 2023-24 season for the Charlott Checkers, some could say it was an exciting one. The team hosted the Queen City Outdoor Classic at Truist Park in Uptown Charlotte. Furthermore, the team made another Calder Cup Playoff appearance with a 39-26-7-0 record (85 points). Plus the rise of the young superstar Mackie Samoskevich who led the team in a couple of categories. Goaltender Spencer Knight had a great season with a full campaign with the Checkers in the AHL to give him time back in the game. There is a lot to talk about this team from the Queen City. Let’s take a look back at a couple of players and a special moment in the bustling city in southern North Carolina.
Taking It Outdoors
Back on January 13th, the Checkers hosted the Rochester Americans in the Queen City Outdoor Classic for the AHL’s 2023 outdoor game. A huge crowd of 11,000 saw the Checkers put on a show as they beat the Americans 5-2. It was a cold night that saw some rain but that did not turn away fans who wanted to experience something special. It was a moment that people will not forget because it’s not every day you see an AHL game outdoors.
The player that stood out in the game was rookie sensation Samoskevich. He was the one who got the game-winning goal for the Checkers. At the time when asked about the goal, he stated, “Sourdie [Justin Sourdif] kind of chipped it to me, I cut up and saw them back up a little bit, and then I kind of cut inside and shut my eyes and shot. It was a special feeling for sure. The whole day has been cool. I’ve got family here too so it was nice to do that in front of them and just get it done with the goal there.” It will be a memory that will last a long time for him and the guys from the team.
To be able to play in the first outdoor game in Charlotte and win the way they did is something the players, staff, and fans will always remember. Speaking of Samoskevich, what a season for the rookie from Newton, CT.
Checkers Sensation in Samoskevich
The Florida Panthers’ 24th overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft had himself a rookie season for the Checkers. In 62 games for the 2023-24 season, he tallied 22 goals and 54 points. His 54 points led the team by 10 over Rasmus Asplund (44). Furthermore, he tied for the team lead in goals along with Wilmer Skoog and finished second in assists only three behind Asplund (35). Samoskevich made his presence felt this season for the Checkers which caught the attention of the Panthers at one point in the season.
Related: Checkers’ Mackie Samoskevich’s Sensational Rookie Season
To be 21 years old and make an impact like that speaks volumes of how good his game already is. Furthermore, the ability to learn from head coach Geordie Kinnear and captain Zac Dalpe will make him only better. It was a surprise that he did not make the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic but make no mistake, there is a good chance he will be there next season.
While he did have a stellar regular season, the three games in the Calder Cup Playoffs saw him come up scoreless. However, that is not on him as the team was unable to defeat the Hartford Wolf Pack in their three-game series in the first round of the playoffs. Given that they had a longer run, there was a good chance that people could have seen a huge run from the 21-year-old. Despite the early exit, it will be exciting to see what Samoskevich can do next season in his second year as a professional with the Checkers. The sky is the limit for the young player from Connecticut.
The Dark Knight
After missing most of the 2022-23 season due to being the NHL Player Assistance Program, it was good to see Spencer Knight back on the ice in any capacity. The 23-year-old Darien, CT native spent the season with the Checkers starting 45 games for the team. He finished the regular season with a 25-14-5 record with a .905 SV% and a 2.41 GAA. Also, he did add five shutouts to his resume as well. Not a bad season for the Dark Knight in the AHL with the Checkers. To have five shutouts in over 2500+ minutes in the net is remarkable and the reason why the team made the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Atlantic Division.
While starting two games in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, Knight went 1-1 with a .925 SV% and a 1.87 GAA. There is nothing more Kinnear or the team could ask for with numbers like that in two games. The team ultimately failed to advance after being eliminated in Game 3, 3-1 on April 28th.
What Could Have Been for Checkers
It was not the finish the team wanted especially having the regular season series win over the Wolf Pack. However, the regular season does not matter much in the playoffs and the team from the Queen City has to build off the end of the 2023-24 season and see what happens next year. The ultimate question remains, how far would the team have gone if they did not lose Lucas Carlsson due to an injury? Carlsson was the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic representative for the team who at one point led the AHL in shots (207, still led the team despite playing 52 games).
Related: Checkers’ Lucas Carlsson Named to 2024 AHL All-Star Classic
It will be interesting to see what happens for the team next season. Will they see familiar names come back or will there be a changing of the guard? Either way, the 2023-24 season was one to reminisce on as the Checkers turn their sights on the offseason and what lies ahead for the 2024-25 season.
