Hurricanes recall goalie Daniel Altshuller from Charlotte, Cam Ward placed on IR

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes recalled goaltender Daniel Altshuller from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Wednesday.

They concurrently placed goaltender Cam Ward on injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a concussion.

“It’s indefinite; any time it’s a concussion you don’t know, right?” Carolina head coach Bill Peters said following practice on Wednesday regarding Ward’s condition and how long he would be out.

“You just go through the (concussion) protocol for the athlete and hope for the best.”

As No. 2 goaltender Eddie Lack will assume starter responsibilities for Carolina, Altshuller fills his spot and gets the opportunity to be a backup in the NHL for the time being.

Carolina’s third-round pick (69th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, Altshuller comes to Raleigh with a 9-1-1 record supported by a 1.71 goals-against average, a .941 save percentage, and one shutout in 11 games played for Charlotte this season.

“I just look at his numbers – they’re fantastic,” Peters said.

“He’s a kid who started in the East Coast League and fought his way up, and he looks like he’s took over the net a little bit at the American League level. He’s got very good numbers. Now he gets an opportunity to come up here. He’s earned it.”

Prior to joining the Checkers, the 21-year-old, six-foot-three inch netminder appeared in 14 games for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, leading the ECHL in goals-against average (1.58), save percentage (.941), and shutouts (3) while compiling a record of 10-3-0.

Altshuller is in his second professional season after completing a three-year career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with Oshawa where he compiled a 78-47-8 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and five shutouts in 140 career games for the Generals.