Monsters right winger Darren Haydar joined the Lake Erie Monsters after the Colorado Avalanche signed him as a free agent in July of 2009. The eight-year professional hockey veteran brought leadership to a young and developing Monsters team during the 2009-10 regular season.

Haydar ended up second on the team in assists (41), goals (23), points (64), multi-point games (18), and points per game (0.97). He tied for first on the team in game-winning goals with four and was just one of two Monsters players to record a hat trick.

The Milton, Ontario, native was recognized for his outstanding play in this season as well as his career. On December 28th, Haydar received the AHL Player of the Week award after recording five goals and three assists in a span of three games. The following day, he was named to the Canadian All-Star Team for the third time in his career. The greatest recognition Haydar received this year was being acknowledged by The Hockey News as the AHL Player of the Decade, a decade that saw him on four different teams and winning two Calder Cups.

Haydar enjoyed a solid 2009-10 season that helped lead the Monsters to reach a franchise-best 77 points. Throughout the season he wore the letter “A” on his left shoulder representing him as an alternate captain for the team.

Highlights:

• October 3rd, 2009: Recorded first multi-point game of the season (2A) at Rochester. Picked up primary assist on game-winning goal in 3-2 overtime win.

• October 17th, 2009: Registered first goal of the season in 5-2 win over Manitoba.

• December 13th, 2009: Notched sixth multi-point game of the season (3G) in 7-3 win against Chicago. The three goals were the team’s first hat trick of the year.

• December 28th, 2009: Announced as the AHL Player of the Week. He recorded eight points (5G, 3A) in three games during the award winning week.

• December 29th, 2009: Picked up 10th multi-point game of the season (2G, 1A) in 5-3 loss against Peoria.

• December 29th, 2009: Named to the Canadian All-Star Team for the third time in his career.

• January 11th, 2010: The Hockey News recognized Haydar as the Player of the Decade.

• February 9th, 2010: Recalled on loan by the Colorado Avalanche.

• February 27th, 2010: Registered 15th multi-point game of the season (2G, 2A) in 5-3 win against Grand Rapids.

• April 7th, 2010: Notched 18th multi-point game of the season (1G, 1A) in 5-4 shootout win against Abbotsford.