Jesse Puljujarvi has strong debut for Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate
Puljujarvi skated on the top line as the Charlotte Checkers took down the Hartford Wolfpack on Saturday and Sunday
The newest member of the Charlotte Checkers made his debut with the club on Saturday in the Queen City.
Jesse Puljujarvi skated on top line as the Checkers took down the Hartford Wolfpack 4-0 at Bojangles Coliseum.
Puljujarvi saw a fair amount of ice time, skating on the right of center Rasmus Asplund and young winger Sandis Vilmanis.
He finished with an assist on the game-opening goal by Wilmer Skoog, one shot and a plus-one rating.
“I liked, especially at the end, he had some physicality to him and made some plays in the second period,” said Checkers Head Coach Geordie Kinnear. “A feeling-out process isn’t the right word, but just getting in sync and finding some chemistry. I thought he and (Asplund) built it as the game wore on.”
Puljujarvi and the Checkers were right back at it against the Wolfpack on Sunday afternoon, and both came away with a similar result.
Charlotte picked up a 4-3 overtime win after tying the game during the final minute of regulation.
For his part, Puljujarvi picked up another assist while adding four shots on goal and another plus-one rating, giving him a weekend total of two helpers, five shots on goal and an on-ice rating of plus-two.
It was more than a solid debut for the young forward (he's still only 26) and now he'll have another week to work with his new teammates before they host a back-to-back set against Atlantic Division-leading Hershey next weekend.
We’ll see how things progress with the former fourth overall pick as he tries to re-build his pro career.
“It’ll be a work in progress, but the first impression is a great one,” Kinnear said.
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Certainly believe he is a gem. The Y should have him over now.