Jamieson Rees, a prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes, was recently reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers, adding another member to the team’s apparently never-ending roster rotation. Rees, who had played for the Springfield Thunderbirds, decided to join the Canes in order to improve his playing opportunities. Currently holding fifth position in the Atlantic Division of the AHL, Charlotte is the affiliate of the Florida Panthers.
The Canes’ split from their former AHL affiliate at the end of the previous campaign has been widely reported. This season, the Canes prospects have been sent to affiliates of other organizations, while the Chicago Wolves have operated without an NHL affiliate. This year, Rees won’t be the only Carolina system player to suit up for two AHL teams.
Regardless of how the Canes’ NHL season turns out, Waddell made a terrible choice by utilizing the minor league system. It has hampered the progress of prospects like Rees and sends a negative message to the other players in the system. Pyotr Kochetkov, the top goalie in Raleigh, has also seen ups and downs.
Rees, a previous 2019 second-round draft pick, enjoyed his finest professional season in Chicago last year. For the player, it was a significant step, and it appeared that his potential was being realized. Rees has played in 30 games with Springfield this season, but more significantly, he has only 3 points and no goals.
Rees had 42 points and 14 goals in Chicago the previous year. This has to be the final player in the Canes system to suffer as a result of Waddell and management’s ill-advised choice.
