In an effort to shore up their blue line, the Checkers have signed Sean Escobedo to a professional tryout contract.

The 25-year-old has spent the majority of his third pro season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ranking third among team defensemen with 16 points (1g, 15a) in 45 games. Escobedo also spent two games in the AHL with the Hartford Wolfpack in December.

Escobedo, a New York native, played four seasons of college hockey at Boston University, totaling 33 points (6g, 27a) in 154 games before turning pro. The undrafted blue liner has 156 ECHL games and 50 points (10g, 40a) under his belt with Stockton and Greenville, and has appeared in seven career AHL games with Bridgeport, Hartford and W-B/Scranton, collecting three points (1g, 2a).

The addition of Escobedo helps provide the Checkers with some depth on the back end heading into a busy week. Along with the Hurricanes’ assignment of Ryan Murphy, Charlotte is now carrying 8 defensemen, though Mike Cornell’s status for tonight is uncertain, as he left Saturday’s contest with an injury and didn’t participate in today’s morning skate.