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Haydar signs with Thrashers Winger optinustic deal gîvcs him better shot at niaking MIL By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Lt just so happens the first three digits in the phone num- ber of Darren Haydars new team - the Atlanta Thrashers - are the saine as those of his parents here in town. The 878 connection couid be considered a good omen for the 26-year-old Miltonian, who after four years in the Amenican Hockey League is stili hopeful of getting the chance to trade in bts minor league status for that of an NHLer. Neyer really given that opportunity wnth the Nashville Predators - who didn't seem to have the productive night winger on their radar at ail the Iast two years - Haydar agreed to a two-year deai with the Thrashers Monday ntght. The deai was made public Tucsday afternoon, just three days after hie became an unrestricted free agent. arnHyr The first year of the contract is a t arenHada way deai and calis for Haydar to inake the Icague minimum $450,000 if he cracks the Atlanta iincup or $95,000 if hes assigned to the AHL Chicago Woives. Year two is a straight one-way deai with the Thrashers, meaning hie stays up with the parent club or gets traded. Now past the four-year barrier tn bts pro hockey career, Haydar will have to clear waivers if hes sent down to the Woives thîs fait. "There were some other offers, but nobody stepped up the way they (Thrashers) did," said the 5V", 170 Ibs. forward - fresh off a ieague-ieading 35-point piayoff run and a trip to the Calder Cup finals with the Predators' AHL Milwaukee Admirais. "I feel good about the deal and thtnk l'Il have more of a chance (to make the NHL) with Atlanta." Added Thrashers' executive vice president and generai manager Don Waddeii, "Darren brings a lot of akili, and with the way the gamne is caiied now you can't have too much of that. Size is becoming less of a factor, and with that 1 think this is a good fit for both us and Darren." An AHL Rookie of the Year in 2002/03, Haydar doesn't think his inability to catch on with Nashville bas much to do with any iingering stigma hie may have picked up from bis 2002 NHL debut - when he suffered a concussion from a thunderous third-period check from Biackhawks defence- man Steve Poapst. He piayed juat one more game about a month later and since then hadn't been mentioned anywhere in the Predators' top prospects rankinga. 1i think it had more to do with the fact that with Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan in the iineup, they (Predators) ,.uiL,.Ii tjilLU ilits ttg titutItii gits 's os jý't -,td tuie diminutive winmger, who icd the Admirais to the Calder Cup titie in 2004 with a ieague-leading 26 points. H-aydar may be on the smali side, but hels certainiy played big in high-stakes situations at every ievei hes competed at. After ieading bis hometown jr. A Merchants to an Ail- Ontario championship and the New Hampshire Wiidcats to two trips to the Frozen Four, Multons NHL hopeful strung together four 20-plus goal, 50-plus point seasons with Milwaukee - with a career-high 92-points (35G, 57A) cam- paign this past season that was good enough for fifth among AHL scorers. This was foilowed by an explosive post season, which înciuded 17 powerpiay points and three shorthanded goals. lI îhink that (production) boosted my stock," he said. 'With the new NHL., speciai teams play is becoming more and more important." Aiso signing with Atlanta Tuesday was Haydars former New Hampshire teammate, Jason Krog - who spent iast year piaying in Europe after marginaliiy-successful stints with the New York Isianders and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The Canadian Champion, Fniday, JuIy 7, 2006 - A19 Milton Choice Winners... Coming Sooni ZIIMt tCaaan (Cbamtpion â#"egiW,, ha &d Muav 4 i~~nvI Lârgier(Plus) Sizos II'm u ew W Now Availablo, N lie ]ENMBAT*URSAVU iWe have an excellent Selection of clothing, accessorles, and much more. - We're convenlently located across from the Go Station. There Is plenty oainge h er 0100,M IL -Y2id4 tif 7pm MNu 1 ucm 7s1 ~m 17S i n WTJ a 18-bole Chamnpionahip Golf Course e Drsving Range and Practice Facility *t)rv Rd. * Licenced Lounge and Bar -~ '~~«j ~g , Golf Tournamnents e- Weddings and Receptions e Private and Corporate Functions Rat .Monday eolbursday *4 Ea id (weeicdayi before :3Oamn) 000 Twiigh (everyday aher4:OOpm) *WeeoendsQ iidaye ouuky &Hdaya) c(Rosw -rNDS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- - - - - - ----------------------------- --- ------- ------ ------------------------ M.. 1