Justin Peters assigned to Charlotte on conditioning stint

Per team release...

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has assigned goaltender Justin Peters to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) on a conditioning stint.

Peters will join the Checkers as they travel to Austin, TX, for back-to-back games against the Texas Stars on Friday and Saturday.

Peters, 27, was recalled from Charlotte on Oct. 14, and has posted a 7-9-4 record, a 2.50 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 21 NHL games played with Carolina this season.

The Blyth, Ont., native started the season with the Checkers and earned a 1-0-0 record and a 2.00 goals-against average in one game prior to his recall. Peters (6’1”, 210 lbs.) has posted a 22-31-8 record, 3.05 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 68 career NHL games with the Hurricanes since making his NHL debut on Feb. 6, 2010.

Carolina drafted Peters in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

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With John Muse of the Checkers leaving Tuesday night's win over the Norfolk Admirals with an apparent leg injury, the timing of Peter's arrival could loom large for Charlotte -- who currently stands six points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 26 games to play.

Mike Murphy, who entered Tuesday's game in relief of Muse in the third period, allowed two goals on 10 shots. The Checkers all-time leader in wins has not looked strong this month, allowing 17 goals in 252:03 of ice time (4.05 GAA) on just 117 shots (.881 SP) over six appearances.

If Muse is out for an extended period of time, Peters could stick around for a bit longer with the Checkers with the Hurricanes already carrying Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin. More will be known following the Olympic break when the Hurricanes resume play on Tuesday.

The longest the Hurricanes could leave Peters with the Checkers -- per the NHL's CBA -- would be 14 days. A span that would cover six games of the Checkers upcoming 10-game road trip. For Peters to remain with Charlotte for a longer period, he'd need to pass through waivers.