We’ve documented all the Florida Panthers signings that are targeted towards the Charlotte Checkers, now let’s take a look at the players that have been signed to AHL contracts this summer by the American League outfit.
On July 2, the Checkers inked forward Brian Pinho to a two-year, one-way AHL contract. The 30-year-old set career highs last season with the Bridgeport Islanders by racking up 25 goals and 49 points in 65 games and earned himself a spot in the AHL All-Star Classic. Over his seven professional seasons, Pinho has recorded 189 points (84G/105A) in 362 games for Bridgeport, Utica and Hershey. He has made two NHL appearances for the Washington Capitals, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.
Three days later, the Checkers brought back defenseman Dennis Cesana and forward Nicholas Zabaneh with each of the pair signing one-year, one-way AHL contracts.
Cesana is heading into his fourth full pro season having spent at least parts of each previous campaign in the Queen City. The 27-year-old defender has one goal and 15 points in 93 career AHL games – including two assists in 15 appearances during the regular season last year. He collected two helpers in six postseason games as the Checkers made a run to the Calder Cup Finals. Cesana has also suited up in 62 ECHL games over his career, including last season’s impressive campaign for the Savannah Ghost Pirates where he put up 50 points (14G/36A) in 52 games – a total that tied for fifth among all league defensemen and earned him a spot on the ECHL Second All-Star Team.
Like Cesana, the 24-year-old Zabaneh, also split last season between Charlotte and Savannah. As a rookie he produced two goals and four points in 31 games for the Checkers and six goals and 15 points in 21 games for the Ghost Pirates. The undrafted Zabaneh attended Florida’s 2024 Development Camp and earned a contract.
On July 10, Riley Hughes decided to remain with the organization, inking a one-year, one-way AHL contract. The 25-year-old forward, who was a seventh-round pick by the Rangers in 2018 posted three goals and eight points in 31 games for Charlotte last season – his first full campaign as a pro. Hughes also appeared in 20 games in the ECHL for Savannah, racking up 14 goals and 23 points.
The Checkers also signed forward Robert Mastrosimone to a one-year, one-way AHL deal. Mastrosimone lit the lamp ten times and added four assists in 50 games last season for the Toronto Marlies – his second as a pro. The 24-year-old is a former second round pick (2019) of the Detroit Red Wings.
Over the weekend, Charlotte re-upped goaltender Evan Cormier on a one-year, one-way AHL contract. Cormier, 27, handled the bulk of the workload for Charlotte’s ECHL affiliate, the Ghost Pirates last season, going 17-13-4 with a 3.38 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage. He lifted the Stanley Cup with the Panthers last season as the third goalie during their championship run