The Charlotte Checkers will have a new look when they open their inaugural season in the American Hockey League this fall.

The Checkers, former members of the East Coast Hockey League, incorporated three new jersey designs and a fresh logo to celebrate their first season as the Carolina Hurricanes' top affiliate. The changes were released Friday at the Checkers Draught for the Hurricanes NHL Draft party.

The logo, which was chosen from a final field of 15, includes the Checkers polar bear mascot holding a Hurricanes flag. The jerseys are almost identical to the Hurricanes, with the same red, black, white and silver colors.

"It kind of combines the predominant traits of the Hurricanes and Checkers," said Tera Black, the Checkers' chief operating officer.

"We wanted to keep our branding consistent with our primary logo. But we also wanted to make the new logo look new and fresh. This signifies the two franchises coming together and moving forward."

Black said the Checkers logo and jerseys elicited an "overwhelmingly positive" response from fans. The team has a Facebook page, where fans give their opinions on the change. Most comment posters say they're excited to buy the Checkers uniform, especially the team's black alternate jersey.

The change was also discussed on Yahoo! Sports hockey blog Puck Daddy, with the headline asking "What says Carolina hockey more than a polar bear eating a flag?"

"It's like the franchise is literally carrying the flag for the parent team," the blog reads.

Black said the Checkers new design finalizes what has been a successful transition to the AHL, one she hopes Carolina hockey fans celebrate from Raleigh to Charlotte.

"It legitimizes our place in hockey so much more," said Black, who added awareness of the Checkers has increased. "The level of play is much better (in the AHL), and there will be instant recognition of our players (because of the new jerseys)."