Paul Branecky

As quick as Justin Faulk’s weekend stay in Charlotte was, his subsequent stint in Raleigh was even quicker.

Two days after recalling the rookie defensemen from the Checkers, the Hurricanes reassigned him back to Charlotte on Wednesday morning. On his latest NHL visit, Faulk, who started the season with the big club, was a healthy scratch for the team’s only game, a Tuesday night tilt with Ottawa.

Faulk, who posted 2 points (1g, 1a) in his three Checkers games last weekend, should again play a big role for the team. While the league does not release official ice time statistics, he likely topped the 25-minute mark during the team’s win against Norfolk on Sunday and was easily the team’s most-used blueliner.

Following Tuesday’s practice at Time Warner Cable Arena, Checkers coach Jeff Daniels praised Faulk’s contributions to the team last weekend, while also noting that he took some time to get acclimated after sitting out Carolina’s previous three contests.

“I thought he got better each game,” said Daniels. “He may have shown some rust on Friday, but he gave us something we lack with the offensive side.”

Faulk’s arrival gives the team seven defensemen – one more than they typically dress, but the ideal number for the team’s upcoming three-in-three road trip through Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Houston. This past weekend, Justin Krueger (Friday and Sunday) and Rasmus Rissanen (Saturday) took turns as the healthy scratch.

Now set on defense, the Checkers will still need to address their forward situation, with only 11 currently on the roster following Zach Boychuk’s recall to Raleigh. Boychuk played just over six minutes on the Hurricanes’ fourth line in his first NHL game of the season on Tuesday.