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24 - The Canadian Champion, Fniday, September 19, 2003 ,Haydar begins pre-season tilts with Nashville -tonight Predators' hopeful kicks things off against Chicago By JON KUIPERIJ The Champion NHL pre-season gamres usually draw lukewarm interest from the average hockey fan. l-owever, a series of exhibition contests; that begmn this weekend is critically important for Nashville Predators hopeful Darren Haydar. As of Wednesday, Milton's most prolific sniper had survived several roster cuis as the Predators trimmed their training camp ranks fromn 51 to 44 players. 'Me 23-year-old winger said he has felt good during camp scrimmniages, but knows bis opportunity to rcally shine wiIl corne in pre-season play. Nashville takes on the Chicago Blackhawks tonight and tomorrow before traveling to Columbus Sunday for a date with the Blue Jackets. "It ail depends on how 1 do in the exhibition gamnes this weekend, if 1 get the opportunity to play," said Haydar, whn's battling with about seven other players for three available forward positions. "The three play- ers playing the -best this weekend may get to move on., Nashville bas told its prospects it plans to fill the fourth line with players on two-way contracta, thus allowing the club to send down underachieving talent and promnote its minor leaguers more easily. As hie vies for a spot on the big club along with more weil-known, prospects like Scottie Upshall and Jordan Tootoo - two main cogs on the Canadian world jun- ior teamn last winter - Haydar believes bis chances have neyer been better. "I',m going to hit some walls and lumps, but I've Just got to ind a way to get by them and over them."' ........ A....... "It's good for me because it gives the opportunity for someone playmng in Milwaukee (Nashville's AHL affiliate) to jump up and play in Nashville," hie said. "It's positive for someone in my situation." Haydar had a couple sniffs of NHL action last sea- son, appearing in games against Chicago and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Admitting hie was almost just "happy to be there", Haydar stressed that be'il be much hungrier this season to produce the way hie has at every other level. If unable to crack the Predators' starting lmneup this fall, Haydar will return to Milwaukee and work at earning another shot at the NHL. "Ail my career I've had my critics and people teiling me I couldn't do it," said Haydar. "That's not neces- sarily going to end right now. inm going to bit some walls and bumps but I've juat gos to fmnd a way to get by tbemn and over them. If I go down to, Milwaukee with a positive attitude, that wiil tell management here I'mt not just one of those guys who thinks; about him- self." Da &rW Kle 1folowwS * 114-ow-c rêmi «idî«Ill ri J in strore Air Liquide 310A Steeles Ave., Milton .905»693-12111 Wfhle quantities iast. Participting iocations oniy &wiAR IDE Indlustrial gass V S' elîng prodlucte www.airliquide.com _lClaxuke"s Goli DEMO CLUBS ON SALE ETO0CGLVE Save up to 30% OFF DUY ONE GET ONE Ping - Callaway - Taylor Made FREFG~fly1orade STRATA TOtJ9 BAGý BOY CART BAGS 500 Series Driver PROFESSIONAL Reg. $1 79.95 2 I'OFF (;G1O,1 RALS Now $129.952. E I* I8lltàll*4a Itl.lii 1~ 1 c.ý_IYJ7.7z&