Former Griffin Darren Haydar to Enter AHL Hall of Fame

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Former Grand Rapids Griffins captain and right wing Darren Haydar (2008-09) has been named to the American Hockey League’s Hall of Fame Class of 2020 that will be honored on Jan. 27 as part of the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport in Ontario, Calif.

Haydar will become the second former Griffin to enter the AHL Hall of Fame, joining 2017 inductee Bryan Helmer (2004-06).

During his lone season in Grand Rapids, Haydar led the Griffins and posted the ninth-highest single-season scoring total in franchise history with 80 points while tying for the eighth-most assists (49) in 79 games. He helped the team reach the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs by registering 11 points (4-7—11) in 10 games to place second on the club.

Drafted in the ninth round, 248th overall, by Nashville in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Haydar is the AHL’s all-time leader in postseason goals (63) and points (143).

A native of Milton, Ontario, Haydar made his AHL debut with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2002-03 and was named the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie after showing 75 points in 75 games. The following campaign, Haydar capped a 59-point regular season with 26 points in the playoffs to help Milwaukee win its only Calder Cup. Haydar and the Admirals returned to the Calder Cup Finals in 2006.

Haydar was named the AHL MVP and a First Team All-Star in 2006-07 while with the Chicago Wolves as he tallied league highs in points (122) and assists (81) in 73 games and started the season on an AHL-record 39-game point streak. As captain of the Wolves in 2007-08, he led them to a Calder Cup title.

Adding to his list of honors, Haydar was a three-time AHL All-Star Game selection (2003, 2007, 2012) and twice was a Second Team AHL All-Star (2009, 2011), the first time coming as a Griffin.

The leading career scorer for both the Admirals’ and Wolves’ AHL franchises, Haydar totaled 788 points in his 780 regular-season AHL games spanning 11 seasons, ranking 14th all time in scoring and 10th in assists (496).

In addition to Haydar, the new AHL enshrinees include Robbie Ftorek, Denis Hamel and Fred Thurier.

Photo at top by Mark Newman/Griffins