Haydar Named Rookie of the Year
April 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Milwaukee Admirals News Release
The American Hockey League announced today that Admirals' rookie forward Darren Haydar is the winner of the American Hockey League's Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the league's Rookie of the Year for the 2002-03 season as voted by the players and media from all 28 league cities. Haydar became the first Admiral player to receive an AHL postseason honor when he was named to the league's 2002-03 All-Rookie Team last week.
"To win this award is not only an honor, it's also a tribute to the teammates I was fortunate to play with in my rookie season," said Haydar. "Like any rookie, I had a lot to learn about the pro game and what better way to learn than from the players and coaches that have made up this team."
Haydar has eclipsed all Admirals' AHL scoring marks set a year ago and currently leads all Admiral scorers and all AHL rookie scorers with 75 points (29g-46a). He is also the team leader in goals scored (29), assists (46), multiple-point games (21), game-winning goals (9) and +/- (+19). Haydar became the team's first AHL player to ever score 20 goals when he registered a goal January 31st against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
"Darren is not only deserving of the award he is a great inspiration to those players dedicated to proving to others that they can be the best at whatever level of hockey they are playing," said Admirals' Head Coach Peter Horachek. "Darren's contribution to this team goes beyond being its top rookie performer. He has been a key component in any successes we have achieved this season."
The former University of New Hampshire star has also shattered records set by players that have played professionally in Milwaukee since the beginning of the team's affiliation agreement with the Nashville Predators in 1998. His 75 points surpassed Jason Cipolla's previous Predator era high mark of 67 points set in the 1998-99 season. He surpassed last year's leading scorer, Petr Sachl, with his 44th point on January 22nd vs. the San Antonio Rampage.
The 23-year-old Milton, Ontario native, who finished second in the nation in scoring at the University of New Hampshire last year, has also played two NHL games with Nashville in 2002-03. Haydar recorded two goals and an assist for the Canadian team at the 2003 AHL All-Star Game.
This award, which was first presented by the AHL in 1947, honors the late Dudley "Red" Garrett, a promising young player who lost his life during World War II while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. Garrett split his only pro season, 1942-43, between the AHL's Providence Reds and the NHL's New York Rangers.
Haydar and the Admirals begin a three game homestand at the Bradley Center tonight when they take on the Cleveland Barons at 7:12. The homestand and the regular season conclude with two games Saturday (7:40pm) and Sunday (5:12pm). The Admirals' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four points. Any combination of Admirals' points and missed points by either Philadelphia or Rochester will clinch the first ever AHL playoff spot for the Admirals.
American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2003
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- Mighty Ducks Sign Ferhi to Pro Tryout Contract - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Annual Team Awards & Fan Appreciation Weekend Highlight Weekend Games - Saint John Flames
- Penguins Announce Home Playoff Dates for Qualifying Series - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Pirates Playoff Tickets On Sale Monday - Portland Pirates
- Krajicek Assigned to San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
- Sound Tigers To Wrap Up Regular Season This Weekend - Bridgeport Islanders
- Islanders Appreciation Weekend Replica Jerseys On Sale - Bridgeport Islanders
- 'Tip a 'Cat for Education' Auction Results - Worcester IceCats
- Calder Cup Tour Stops in Worcester - Worcester IceCats
- Canucks reassign Reid to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Monarchs Sign Clarke And Insana, Release Parros - Manchester Monarchs
- Wolves Offer Free Tickets to Armed Forces Personnel, Families - Chicago Wolves
- Haydar Named Rookie of the Year - Milwaukee Admirals
- Haydar named outstanding rookie - AHL
- Local Charities to Benefit Friday At B-Sens Home Finale - Binghamton Senators
- Tentative First Round Home Playoff Dates Set - Binghamton Senators
- Checkers Seher & McKay Loaned To The AHL - Charlotte Checkers
- Aubin, Scuderi Lead Pens to Huge Win Over Ducks - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
