The Haydars had plenty to celebrate this past weekend.
Quinn made the jump to the triple-A ranks – officially joining the U10 Halton Hurricanes for next season – while big brother Liam made the U12 ‘Canes and little Spike (Owen) played his first full-ice game, marking the right of passage with a goal.
And oh yeah, dad got to play too.
Of course the hall-of-fame patriarch of this household doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight. These days it’s more about family memories than personal achievements.
“Sharing it with the kids was amazing. I think a lot of guys who play who do have kids and get to go in the locker room and be part of it, it’s such a special moment,” said father Darren, following Saturday’s Allan Cup championship win with the Dundas Real McCoys – his second in as many years. “It’s one of the biggest things I take away from that, having them there to see… obviously not me at my peak performance.”
Nearly a decade removed from his professional playing days, a now 44-year-old Haydar – now busy as a realtor and still affectionately called ‘Mini’ by many in town – admits it’s tough keeping up with the younger guys. Afterall, some are 10 or more years his junior.
But the two-time Calder Cup champion and American Hockey League all-time playoff scoring leader isn’t looking to stand out anymore – just contribute.
“Father time is never lost in the game of hockey, I know that’s part of it,” said Haydar, whose Real McCoys downed Newfoundland’s Southern Shore Breakers 6-1 in front of roughly 900 fans at J.L. Grightmire Arena to claim this year’s national title. “But my asset always playing, even when I was at my peak, was my thinking the game, my understanding of plays and how they develop. That’s still there.”
Winning back-to-back Sr. A national titles – something no team has done since the mid-’90s – is something for which Haydar feels extremely fortunate.
AMAZING SUPPORT FOR SR. A HOCKEY
He credits Real McCoys President and GM Don Robertson for that opportunity, as well as helping maintain the stature of the now 115-year-old Allan Cup.
“I don’t want to say single-handedly, but it (Sr. A hockey) wouldn’t be where it is without him, that’s for sure,” said the AHL and Milton Sports Hall of Fame inductee, who was encouraged to join Dundas by fellow Jr. A Milton Merchant alumni Jeff White once his three-year European league swing ended in 2016. “He puts in an amazing amount of time and effort.”
“There is the passion for guys, I don’t want to say our age… I don’t want to put an age on it… but guys who get older after either their pro career or junior career, it’s a great outlet for high level hockey for those who aren’t able to carry on at those other levels.”
Saturday’s Allan Cup victory brought Haydar back to another connection with hockey heritage – namely his 2013 Team Canada run at the Spengler Cup (Davos, Switzerland), which just celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Having celebrated Liam’s birthday in Germany just two months before donning the red and white, Haydar remembers it as a truly special time.
“Just the way Hockey Canada treated us and the overall experience and the character and history within that tournament was amazing. And I think that’s one of the reasons why I appreciate the Allan Cup, is the history that goes with it.”
COACHING 'VERY REWARDING'
Now head coach of Liam’s Hurricanes, Haydar sees coaching as a “natural extension” of his lifetime in hockey – something he seriously pondered as far back as his time at the University of New Hampshire.
He credits that to a number of mentors, most notable skills coach Kenny MuCudden – now with the Washington Capitals – who Haydar describes as one of the best when it comes to inspiring confidence.
He draws on those days when guiding the next generation of players.
“It’s very rewarding when you watch a kid you’ve taught and they’re going out there and executing things you’re teaching them. I absolutely love coaching the kids.”
No conversation with Haydar would be complete without at least a little reflection on the ‘you’re too small to make it’ criticism that dogged him throughout his career.
Rather than fixate on what mind have been – had a chance for a prolonged NHL stint ever presented itself – he figures those detractors likely helped him thrive at every other level.
“I don’t want to say I played with a chip on my shoulder my entire life or my career, but I want to say I used that (criticism) as fuel,” said Haydar, pointing to guys like Martin St. Louis and Theo Fleury who “paved the way” for the smaller guys to find a place in hockey’s upper tier.
With the Allan Cup to be contested in Alberta next spring, the Real McCoy’s elder statesman isn’t sure he’ll have the time to devote to a possible three-peat.
But then he had initially told Robertson he was done after the first championship, so…
“We’ll just have to see,” said Haydar non-commitedly.