CHARLOTTE, NC—Charlotte Checkers general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced that forwards Chris Chappell, Ryan Garlock and goaltender Matt Zaba have been recalled by the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. In addition, Derek Couture was loaned to the Wolf Pack and rookie goaltender Billy Sauer was assigned by Lake Erie (AHL).

The flurry of transactions came less than 24 hours prior to the Checkers’ home opener, which takes place today at 2 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena against the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Sauer, a rookie from Rochester, N.Y., returns to the Checkers after spending a week with the Lake Erie Monsters. In one appearance this season with the Checkers, he stopped all nine shots he faced in relief of the injured Ryan Munce. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound netminder posted a 71-30-8 record with a 2.56 GAA and .908 in four NCAA seasons. He was a seventh-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Garlock has one goal and two assists in four games for the Checkers this season while Chappell as collected one assist. Couture, the only player of the four called up who is on an ECHL contract, currently leads the Checkers in assists with five in four games.

The Checkers, now 3-1-0, begin a five-game homestand today and are at home for nine of the next 10 contests. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates for a post-game skate with the Checkers.