Sports - Charlotte Checkers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Checkers have agreed to terms with forwards David Rutherford and Michel Leveille, said head coach and general manager Derek Wilkinson.

Rutherford, 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, hails from Ladner, B.C. He played the previous three seasons in the Western Hockey League with both the Vancouver Giants and Spokane Chiefs. The last two seasons were spent with the Chiefs where he compiled 53 goals, 48 assists for 101 points in 121 games while adding 198 penalty minutes. He also added nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 22 playoffs games for the Chiefs on their way to a Memorial Cup Championship last season.

Wilkinson thinks Rutherford’s energy will endear him to Checkers fans. “Rutherford was a key member of the Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs and will quickly become a fan favorite. He is great competitor and will receive admiration from both fans and teammates.”

Leveille, 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, spent last season playing with both the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and the Columbia Inferno playing 41 and four games respectively. During that time, the University of Maine graduate recorded nine goals and three assists with the Marlies while compiling one goal and four assists for the Inferno.

Wilkinson says the Checkers will rely on the offensive output of the Levis, Quebec native. “Michel is a true number one center. He is the most skilled guy we have ever signed to a Charlotte contract. We expect Michel to be a game breaker type player for us.”