5 reasons you should care about the Charlotte Checkers this season

While the Carolina Panthers deal with a nasty Super Bowl hangover and the Charlotte Hornets kick off the season with some key roster losses and the specter of a lost all-star game hanging over the season, there’s another Charlotte sports team fans can get excited about this time of year: The Charlotte Checkers.

The minor-league hockey team has its home opener on Friday, Oct. 28, kicking off a weekend-long stand against divisional rival Grand Rapids Griffins. Why should you care about some minor league team toiling away at an ancient coliseum? Here are just a few reasons why:

(1) The head coach is an NHL legend.

Ulf Samuelsson is widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in NHL history. He’s also been considered a superstar defensive anchor for a generation of hockey fans growing up in the 1980s and ’90s. The always outspoken and larger-than-life Samuelsson is sure to bring some character to what, at times last year, was an awfully quiet arena.

(2) The Defensive MVP is a member of NHL royalty.

Jake Chelios burst onto the scene last season, leading the Checkers in games played and minutes. Chelios, 25, looks to remain the cog on a rapidly improving defensive backline. Jake’s father Chris had one of the longest careers all-time in the NHL and his incredible tenure was capped off with an induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.

(3) Rock ‘em, sock ‘em Checkers.

While there are certainly some issues to be discussed when it comes to violence in hockey, it’s hard to deny the appeal of watching two trained and ready pugilists agree to throw down for their team’s honor. Catch a Checkers game anytime this year and you’ll probably catch at least one fight.

(4) Maybe the best deal in town.

For those looking for a good time on a budget, the Checkers may provide the best bang-for-your-buck experience in Charlotte. At least once a month the team hosts $1 beer nights, and The Redline Club serve up great food at a value every game night. And tickets start at $12 — and there’s not a bad seat in Bojanges Arena.

(5) Do you really need more reasons?

Charlotte has shown a lot of pride in its professional teams lately and it’s fun to be a part of a franchise on the rise. If cheap food, drink, entertainment and the possibility that you’ll catch a puck or a T-shirt in the stands can’t do the trick, then rooting for a winning team again should be reason enough.

Photos: Charlotte Checkers; Mark Hames/Charlotte Observer; T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 11:42 PM with the headline "5 reasons you should care about the Charlotte Checkers this season."