Kevin Provencher's Monarchs Insider: Haydar is now 'THE guy'

MANCHESTER – Darren Haydar was "the other guy" seven years ago at the University of New Hampshire when Jason Krog won college ice hockey's highest honor, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Haydar was the center Krog's unsung right wing.

Since those four stellar seasons at UNH Haydar, who has only had six cups of coffee -- six games -- in the National Hockey League, has played brilliantly to come out of the shadows and become THE guy.

Haydar, 29, is the second-leading scorer for the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, and he is awaiting his first call in the organization to the NHL. In goal, Detroit features his old UNH teammate Ty Conklin.

Haydar has yet to be called up and he must clear waivers if called. The thought is he would be a quick claim by another club in need of a playmaker, finisher if Detroit summons him. So why did he choose to sign with the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings in the offseason?

"They're a puck possession team so everything I do on the ice is something Detroit does to a higher level," said Haydar. "It suits my game. It's a place where if they need to call someone up I could be that player."

Haydar's professional hockey resume is extraordinary. If it has happened in the AHL when it comes to scorers, Haydar has done it.

Last season, teamed with Krog, he led Chicago to the AHL Calder Cup championship. Before that he led Milwaukee to the Calder Cup in 2006. He has been both the regular-season and playoff most valuable player in the AHL. He has led the league in assists and he has led the league in points. He has led the league in playoff goals, assists and points in three different seasons. He is obviously a multi-time AHL all-star.

Grand Rapid Griffin Darren Haydar warms up before last night's game against the Manchester Monarchs at Verizon Wireless Arena. (BRUCE TAYLOR)

►Haydar, Grand Rapids too much for Monarchs
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"(Haydar) has come to an organization he has always played against and it was always difficult for us when he came to our rink. It was probably difficult for him to come to us ... but it's great having him on and off the ice with us instead of playing against him," said Evan McGrath, a center in his fourth season with Grand Rapids.

"He always killed us," Griffins' publicist Bob Kaser said of Haydar. "First with Milwaukee and then with our big rival Chicago. In fact, he killed everybody."

Haydar had 13 goals and 13 assists going into last night's game against the Monarchs at Verizon Wireless Arena -- his first game ever pro in the Big V. While he leads Grand Rapids in goals, those aren't exactly Haydar-style numbers. In the pros he has been a point-plus per game scorer.

"My points aren't where I'd like them," said Haydar. "But I'm just going to keep plugging away and try to take care of the things."

"He's been a leader on and off the ice for all of us," said teammate McGrath "I know his points probably aren't where he'd like them, but he could have 10 or 15 more points if some bounces went his way."

Haydar has 26 points so far in 34 games in what could be a final season in the AHL since the allure of European money is out there and hard to ignore if Haydar can't realize his NHL dream.

Haydar smiled.

"I'm not getting any younger, so Europe will be a possibility if Detroit doesn't want to re-sign me," he said.

Regardless of where he ends up in pro hockey, New Hampshire is always a memorable stop for Haydar as it was last night.

"I've got a bunch of people coming tonight. I spoke with Coach Umile (UNH coach) today," said Haydar. "Nice to come back here. I wouldn't trade my time at UNH or in New Hampshire for anything."

Kevin Provencher covers the Manchester Monarchs for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News.