Continuing our "Fresh Faces" series, we have the Charlotte Checkers.

In this series, we'll be looking at the new prospects coming in on each team and even possibly vie for AHL Rookie of the Year or All-Rookie Team honours.

You can check out our previous teams in the series here:  Abbotsford Canucks, Bakersfield Condors, Belleville Senators, Calgary Wranglers.

2025-26 season: CSKA Moskva (KHL), Zvezda Moskva (VHL), Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Draft Status: FLA 2024 RD 3, PK 97

Contract: Three-Year Entry-Level Contract (starts in the 2026-27 season)

Shuravin played 48 games across three different tiers of hockey in Russia last season: 21 in the top-tier professional league KHL, 12 in the second-tiered VHL and 15 in the top junior league of MHL. Because of jumping around the different leagues last year: 14 times to be exact, the 20-year-old couldn't get set and didn't produce more than three points in a single league last season. The season before, he produced 24 points (4G, 20A) in 38 games as alternate captain for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva with a rating of plus-26 in the MHL. His 24 points and 10 assists were ranked 14th and tied for 11th in the league that season respectively. Even though he came out with just one point in the KHL last season, the league is certainly not for the faint of heart and at the end of the day, it is an elite pro league. With some professional hockey experience in his back-pocket, Shuravin will now need to acclimate to North American ice.

2025-26 season: Michigan (Big Ten)

Draft Status: Undrafted

Contract: One-Year AHL-only Contract (2026-27)

The alternate captain of Michigan was part of a well-rounded team that led the Big Ten in goals and gave up the second-fewest scores. Fantilli helped as his 41 blocks were ranked 19th in the conference. And while his rating of plus-29 is tied for the highest in the Big Ten, he was well supported by an offense which had a league-high three forwards amongst the top seven goalscorers. The Nobleton, ON native was not a major scorer himself as he produced 17 points (4G, 13A) in 40 games for the Wolverines. Although, he did score 3 of those points (1G, 2A) in the Big Ten tournament where Michigan became conference champions en route to Fantilli being name to the All-Conference Team. Still, Charlotte will need to have some big time scorers on their roster to help support the 23-year-old blue liner in the defensive zone.

 2025-26 season: Connecticut (Hockey East)

Draft Status: FLA 2022 RD 6, PK 189

Contract: Two-Year Entry-Level Contract (starts in the 2026-27 season)

Muszelik played the second-most games in the competitive Hockey East conference for UConn. But he is the ONLY goalie to have played at least 35 games and produce the highest save percentage (.926), lowest Goals-Against-Average (2.21) and record the most shutouts (3). He was awarded with a spot on the Hockey East Third All-Star Team after posting a 19-11-5 record with the Huskies. There is much anticipation and excitement about what he will bring to the American League as he starts his journey to try and fill in the goalie crease once anchored by the legendary Sergei Bobrovsky.

2024-25 season: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

2025-26 season: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

Draft Status: PIT 2023 RD 3, PK 91

Contract: Three-Year Entry-Level Contract (started in the 2025-26 season)

So, here's the good stuff: Pieniniemi put up 60 points in 60 games in Kingston in 2024-25. His 26 power play assists were tied for third in the OHL that year.

Now the bad: The next year in 2025-26, his first professional year went as horrible as you can imagine. After not making it to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins roster as a full-timer and being assigned to their ECHL affiliates, the Wheeling Nailers in October 2025, Pieniniemi refused to report to the ECHL club and flew back to his home country of Finland to train independently and got suspended for it. Eventually, he changed his mind and came back and played his first ECHL game on New Year's Eve 2026. He played 26 games for Wheeling, producing 11 points (6G, 5A). He scored another eight points (1G, 7A) in 15 games of the ECHL playoffs. The 21-year-old was called up three times to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and scored four points (1G, 3A) in 11 regular/playoff games, making him still a rookie this upcoming AHL season. He was ultimately traded to the Florida Panthers this offseason on June 13. While he does have a year (kind of) of professional hockey experience with him, he also brings a lot of baggage and an attitude of entitlement with him. Hopefully, the Florida Panthers can create a gem out of him.