Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Anton Khudobin is beginning a conditioning stint with Charlotte as he attempts to work his way back into the organization’s goaltending picture.
Since recently returning to fitness following an ankle injury suffered on Oct. 13, the 27-year-old had not been able to crack the Hurricanes lineup ahead of former Checker Justin Peters, who has started each of the team’s last three games, and longtime starter Cam Ward. The conditioning stint allows him to play in the AHL for a short period of time without going on waivers.
Khudobin, who joined the Hurricanes from Boston as a free agent this past summer, started the season with a 2-0-0 record, 2.00 goals-against average and .929 save percentage prior to his injury. He joins John Muse and Mike Murphy as active goaltenders on the Checkers’ roster.
Should he play for Charlotte, something he is likely to do as the team finishes a three-game road trip in Chicago on Sunday and in Rockford on Monday, Khudobin would become the eighth goaltender used by the Checkers this season, extending a franchise record and tying Oklahoma City for most in the league this season.
Khudobin has played in 156 career AHL games with Providence and Houston, most recently playing 44 games for Providence in the 2011-12 season. He also played 33 for the Checkers’ ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, during the 2008-09 campaign.