RALEIGH, NC - Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has activated goaltender Eddie Lack from injured reserve, and assigned him to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) for a conditioning stint. The Hurricanes have also assigned goaltender Michael Leighton to the Checkers.

Lack, 29, has missed 26 of the last 30 games due to a concussion. The Norrtälje, Sweden, native is 1-2-1 with a 3.78 goals-against average in five games for the Hurricanes this season. Lack has appeared in 121 career NHL games with Vancouver and Carolina, going 47-46-16 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Leighton, 35, is 2-2-0 with a 3.43 goals-against average for the Hurricanes this season, and will participate in the AHL's All-Star Classic in Allentown, PA, this weekend. The Petrolia, Ont., native ranks tied for 11th among AHL goaltenders this season in goals-against average (2.32) and 12th in save percentage (.918), earning an 8-6-3 record for Charlotte. In 110 career NHL regular-season games, Leighton (6'3", 186 lbs.) has compiled a 37-43-14 record, a 2.98 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage with Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia and Carolina.