The Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, announced the signing of forwards Riley Hughes and Philip Tresca to AHL contracts this week. The moves come as the club looks to bolster a roster that has been reshaped by a series of injuries and a competitive training camp.
Hughes, a 26‑year‑old forward who entered professional hockey as a 2018 seventh‑round pick of the New York Rangers, has spent the bulk of his career bouncing between the ECHL and the AHL. After a stint with the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders, he earned a one‑year, two‑way deal with Charlotte and split the previous season between the AHL and the ECHL, posting eight points in 31 AHL games and 11 points in seven ECHL appearances.
Now the Checkers are counting on Hughes to translate that production into a full‑time role. He previously logged 37 points in 141 NCAA games at Northeastern University and Ohio State, and his experience with the Savannah Ghost Pirates gave him a familiar foothold in the region. "I’m excited to bring that experience and work ethic to Charlotte," Hughes said in a team release.
A fresh collegiate challenge
Tresca, 24, arrives after a four‑year stint at Harvard University where he emerged as a near point‑per‑game scorer in the USHL before excelling at the collegiate level. His most productive season, 2025‑26, saw him record 19 points in 30 games for the Crimson. Though he has yet to make his professional debut, Tresca’s skill set has generated buzz among the coaching staff.
The organization envisions Tresca beginning the year in the ECHL with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, using that platform to prove he can handle the speed and physicality of pro hockey. "He’s a smart player with a strong work ethic," a senior manager said. "If he adapts quickly, we could see him in the AHL lineup sooner than expected."
Both signings reflect the Checkers’ strategy of blending veteran AHL experience with fresh collegiate talent. As the team prepares for the upcoming campaign, the hope is that Hughes and Tresca will not only contribute offensively but also help stabilize a roster that aims to compete for a playoff spot in the highly competitive Atlantic Division.