The Hockey News, the number-one selling hockey publication in North America, has recognized Lake Erie Monsters forward Darren Haydar as their AHL Player of the Decade. The current issue of THN, on newsstands now, looks back at the achievements of hockey players, teams and leagues over the past 10 years.

Currently in his eighth year as a professional, Haydar has amassed 217 goals and 354 assists (571 points) in 531 American Hockey League games and is the league’s career scoring leader among active players. He was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2003 and the league MVP in 2007. The Milton, Ontario native is the AHL’s all-time playoff scoring leader with 135 points in 105 postseason games. His 59 goals and 76 assists are also the most in the league’s postseason history. Haydar has won two Calder Cup championships, in 2004 with the Milwaukee Admirals and 2008 with the Chicago Wolves.

Haydar is in his first year with the Monsters, the fourth AHL team in his career. He currently leads Lake Erie in points (35), goals (16), power play points (19), power play goals (9), power play assists (10), game-winning goals (3), is tied for the lead with two shorthanded points (1G, 1A) and leads the team with 11 multi-point games. Most recently, Haydar was named the AHL’s Player of the Week on December 28th and was named to the AHL All-Star Team, the third of his career, the following day.

Haydar has recorded one goal and seven assists in 22 career NHL games, having played two games with the Nashville Predators (2002-03) and 20 with the Atlanta Thrashers (2006-08).