Checkers sign ex-NHLer and all-star goalie

The Charlotte Checkers signed former Calgary Flames forward Daniel Tkaczuk and former ECHL All-Star Game MVP goalie Frank Doyle on Friday.

Both were in uniform for the home game against Elmira.

Tkaczuk, 30, was Calgary's first-round draft pick in 1997, and played the past six seasons in the German Elite League, Finnish Elite League and Italian League.

He played four seasons in the American Hockey League, and was on a Calder Cup-winning Saint John team in 2000. He scored four goals and seven assists in a midseason call-up to the NHL (with Calgary) in 2000-01.

"Daniel came to us through a recommendation from New York Rangers pro scout Peter Stephan," Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson said. "He has top-end speed and great play-making abilities and will certainly be an offensive leader for us."

Doyle, 29, played ast season in the German Elite League, where he was 13-20-0 with a 3.07 goals against average and .903 save percentage in 47 games with the Cologne Sharks.

He also played three seasons in the AHL with the Lowell Devils and Albany River Rats. Doyle played one ECHL season with the Idaho Steelheads in 2004-05, posting a 32-13-4 record with a 2.16 GAA and .916 save percentage. He took home Most Valuable Player honors at the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team.

"We are pleased to find Frank this late in the season," Wilkinson said. "He is an excellent goalie and should add stability to a position that has been in flux since game one."

-- Goaltender Billy Sauer was recalled by the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL).