A key piece of the Checkers’ blue line has returned, as the Hurricanes have assigned defenseman Roland McKeown to Charlotte.

With Brett Pesce on the verge of coming back from injury, McKeown returns to Charlotte after making his NHL debut against Arizona on Nov. 4. The second-year pro appeared in two contests with the Canes, picking up two assists and two penalty minutes along the way.

With the Checkers this season, McKeown has recorded three points (1g, 2a) in nine games.