CHARLOTTE, NC - Defenseman and team captain Bryan Rodney and forward Jon Matsumoto have been recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Checkers general manager and head coach Jeff Daniels announced today. The players are being recalled on an emergency basis and will be available for the Hurricanes’ game tonight at Scotiabank Place against the Ottawa Senators.

Matsumoto, 24, hails from Ottawa, Ontario and is being recalled for the second time this season. He scored two goals and averaged 7:44 of ice time in 10 games with Carolina from Nov. 1-24, his first career NHL stint. Matsumoto has recorded eight goals and 11 assists (19 points) in 20 games this season with the Checkers. Carolina acquired Matsumoto from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 26 in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.
 
Rodney, 26, returns to Carolina for the second time this season, following a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in mid-December. The London, Ont., native leads all Checkers defensemen in scoring with 18 points (5g, 13a) in 30 games this season. Rodney made his NHL debut with Carolina on Dec. 11, 2008, and has notched one goal and 12 assists (13 points) in 32 career NHL regular-season games with the Hurricanes. Rodney, who played two years of junior hockey in Ottawa, signed with Carolina as a free agent on May 12, 2008.

The Checkers (18-10-4) will battle the Admirals again Thursday (7:15 p.m.) in Norfolk before returning to Charlotte Saturday, Jan. 1 to host the Binghamton Senators. The first 3,000 fans through the door that night will receive a Checkers winter hat. Call 704-342-4423 or head to www.gocheckers.com for ticket information.