The Canadian Champion, Friday, July 2, 19M9-17 4M00 'ini' Havdar taken in ninth by Nashville 0/ 1 - Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Darren "Mini" Haydar may soon be trading In his University of New Hampahire jersey for one of the Nashville Predators, who acqulred hlm ln Saturday's NHL Entry Draft. ISjiffis in winners' circle Figbting Griffin Martial Arts enjoyed a bined for four golda and seven medals bandsome hardware baul in toumnament overaîl at a sbowcase in Stouffville. competition late last montb. Tammy Hogarth won ladies' advanced Most recently, nine-year-old Tyler formas while Thomas Droy prevailed in Carson reigned supreme at the Kubota Cup men's intermediate forma. Karata in Etobicoke. He struck gold in the Meanwbile, Kim Provis took first in eigbt to 1 0-year-old mixed kado division. nine-year-old forms and Quinn Cruise - The lone representative fromt the local Figbting Griffin's only deaf student - club that day. Carson outabone nearly two matcbed that placing in I 3-year-old forma. dozen competitors for top spot. She also took third in self-defence and one week earlier, seven students comn- * see WILSON on page 19 By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Darren Haydar bas preyed on goaltenders bis entire hockey career - exploiting their weaknesses, however small, since he first laced up a pair of skates. So perhaps it' s only fitting that the electrifying right winger officially became a Predator. Of the Nashville variety, tbat is. That's exactly wbat bappened in Boston Saturday, wben tbe local sniper - known simply as "Mini" - was selected by the Nasbville Predators in tbe 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was taken in tbe nintb round, 248tb overali. "It's only tbe first step, but it's definitely a foot in tbe door," said the I 9-year-old, wbo was at bis fami- iy's cottage during tbe draft. "It's been a dream my wbole lufe to get to, tbe NHL and it's great to see somebody sbowing interest in my type of play." Altbougb certanly bonoured to bave been picked up in tbe draft, tbe former star of tbe Milton Mercbants wasn't overly concerned about the possibility of being passed over. He bad only to look at Jason Krog - a linemate of bis tbis past year at tbe University of New Hampsbire (UNH). who recently signed as a free agent witb the New York Isianders for nearly $2 million - to realize tbat being drafted is juat one way to make it to tbe sbow. Added Haydar, "However. it's obviously an bonour to get drafted. Nasbville basn't contacted me yet and I plan to, finish college, but if tbe rigbt offer comtes along I bave to take it." Being acquired by an NHL teamt is no doubt a mea- sure of vindication for the dimiànutive scorer, wbo for Mini s many milestones a Recorded 32 goals and 100 points in rookie season with the Milton Merchants. - Arnnssed a tenrn record of 71 goals and 140 points with Merchants i 1997/%8, fin- lshlng flrst in leagsae iD hoth departanents, wbich led to Player of the Year honours. *Registered another 25 goals and 25 assists in the 1997/98 plnyoffs, including n whoppixig aine points in the Merchants' Ail-Ontario finals vlctory over the Rnayside-Balfour Snhxrecats. e Became top scoring freshrnan ever at University of New Hampshire with 31 gol and 30 ass"t. - Scored oveirtime winner against Michigan and sent UNH to the Frozen Four in Anaheim. * Had two assists in semifinals to help beat Michigan State. * Delivered goal and assist in chamup!- onship final loss to Maine Black Bears. a Drafted by NHL's Nashville Predators in ninth round. z . I w' I ' WIAUN DALL HE UIATI' We Turn Bogeys into Birdies years beard bow bis size would be an insurmountable obstacle to a sbot at the big leagues. "Listening to those commenta made me strive to, be a better player. It belped me along tbe way," he remarked. "I neyer once bad the feeling that I couldn't make il. It's only wben 1 lose my confidence that lI be in trouble. "In the end l'Il be the deciding factor, not my size." That was definitely the case wben it came to bis immediate success in the NCAA. Taing the college ranks by storro, be amassed 31 goals and 30 assista this past season to become the top point-producing fresbman ever at UNH. His uncanny knack for dominating in big gamne situ- ations - wbicb was seen tbrougbout stinta witb the AAA Hurricanes and Jr. A Merchants - confinued tbis spring as be notcbed an overtime winner against Micbigan to send bis Wildcata to the Frozen Four in Anaheim. There be picked up two assista to belp beat Michigan State 5-3 in the semnifinals and tben deliv- ered a sbortbanded goal and an assiat in the chamspi- onsbip finals againat the Maine Black Bears. Unfortunately, the two-point sbowing wasn't enougb in UNH's 3-2 loas. Haydar bas averaged 58 goals and 125 pointa over the last tbree years and cbalked up awards and acco- lades that are far too numerous to mention. His consistency and desire to break down barriers will be key assets in the coming years, particularly since be was one of five rigbt wingers selected by the Predators in this year's draft. ".1ve juat got to keep improving on my game and bopefully in a couple of years l' il be in the lineup," said Haydar.