CHARLOTTE, NC—Charlotte Checkers general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced today that defenseman Kevin Schaeffer has been loaned to the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Schaeffer is now the fourth player under contract with the Checkers to be loaned to an AHL team, joining Derek Couture (Hartford), Matt Ford (Lake Erie) and Ethan Graham (Norfolk).

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenseman has skated in eight games with the Checkers, collecting two assists. He also appeared in five games with the Monsters, adding two assists. Schaeffer, 24, spent the majority of last season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. In 48 games the native of South Huntington, N.Y. registered three assists and 14 penalty minutes.

Schaeffer was a sixth round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and played four seasons at Boston University before joining the pro ranks.

The Checkers (10-3-2-0) are currently on a five-game win streak and will travel to Gwinnett Saturday before returning home to host the Gladiators on Sunday, Nov. 29 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.