I guess we ll have to call them the Syracuse Checkers this season.
With the Charlotte Checkers opting out of the 2020-21 campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning have offered the use of their AHL affiliate in Syracuse to the Florida Panthers in order to give many of the organization s top prospects a chance to play and continue developing their skills. With safety at the forefront, this arrangement also allows our players to continue their development uninterrupted, Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. The fact that our two competing franchises have decided to work together for the collective good is evidence of the underlying goodwill that truly exists in our sport and is a testimony to the character of Julien BriseBois and his staff. This type of cooperation is exciting for the future of hockey in Florida.