The Chicago Wolves have signed former American Hockey League MVP and captain of the 2008 Calder Cup championship team, Darren Haydar.
The 30-year-old right wing is one of the most decorated players in AHL history, winning two Calder Cups (2004 with Milwaukee, 2008 with Chicago), one MVP award (2007 with Chicago), one scoring title (2007 with Chicago) and league rookie of the year honors (2003 with Milwaukee).
Haydar is tied for 42nd all-time with 600 points (224 goals, 376 assists) in 562 career AHL games with Lake Erie, Grand Rapids, Chicago and Milwaukee. He is also the league’s all-time playoff leader in goals (59), assists (76, tied with Jason Krog) and points (135).
During his previous stint with the Wolves (2006-08), Haydar was awarded the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s most valuable player and John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the league’s leading scorer after posting a career-best 122 points (41g, 81a) in 73 games during the 2006-07 campaign. He made hockey history that season by collecting a point in 39 consecutive games to start the season, the longest scoring streak in American Hockey League history.
The Milton, Ont., native notched 64 points (23 goals, 41 assists) in 66 games with the Lake Erie Monsters last season, and led the Grand Rapids Griffins and ranked sixth in the league with 80 points (31g, 49a) in 79 games during the 2008-09 campaign.
Haydar has also appeared in 23 career National Hockey League matchups, tallying eight points (1g, 7a) with Nashville (2002-03), Atlanta (2006-08) and Colorado (2009-10).
