Good news today for the Charlotte Checkers, who got the AHL call-up everyone in the ECHL dreams about. Except that, rather than one player, the whole franchise is getting promoted.

Checkers owner Michael Kahn announced today that the American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved his purchase of the AHL’s Albany River Rats franchise, as well as the team’s relocation to Charlotte to begin play in 2010-11.

According to the Naples News, the ECHL might look to place another team in the southeast. Charlotte currently plays in the four-team South Division of the American Conference. A three-team division would disrupt the symmetry of having five four-team divisions.

So how does this affect the Reign?

Not much, save for the fact that one fewer team in the ECHL — which recently dropped from 22 to 20 teams — would mean the quality of talent on each team goes up a little more. It becomes a moot point if the league can add a team between now and the summer.