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Defenseman Ron Hainsey adds power and special teams skill to the Atlanta blueline

The signing of defenseman Ron Hainsey on July 2, probably didn't create nearly as much buzz in Atlanta as it should have.

Perhaps it was because the 27-year-old native of Bolton, Conn., signed to a five-year, $22 million contract on July 2, played in the relative obscurity of Columbus, which drew the third-fewest fans in the NHL last season (more than 1,000 fewer fans per game than Atlanta drew).

But there were a number of factors that had the team excited about acquiring him.

Primarily, he can score.

A former first-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens (13th overall) in the 2000 Entry Draft, Hainsey led all Hockey East defensemen and was in the top five in the NCAA in scoring as a senior at UMass-Lowell. Last season, he finished fourth on the team and was first amongst Columbus defensemen in goals (8), assists (24) and, obviously, points (32).

Second, he can score on the power play, as all eight of his goals came in extra-man situations.

To put things in perspective, last season, Atlanta defensemen totaled 13 goals and only Toby Enstrom was able to score on the power play (he had four power play tallies).

"He's a big man with a big shot so we're hoping for a lot of points from him this year," said Thrashers Head Coach John Anderson.

Hainsey came through right away, scoring Atlanta's first goal of the season — a power play goal at 8:20 of the first period against Washington — and chalking up points in each of the team's first three games.

But his ability as a two-way player may be even more important.

"He brings the puck out really quickly," Anderson pointed out. "Certainly he can steady our 'D' so we don't spend too much time in our zone. We can get it very quickly out of our own zone."

Hainsey also provides size (he is Atlanta's biggest defenseman at 6-3, 205), and durability. Through five games, he has averaged 24:13 of ice time (only Mathieu Schneider averages more ice time per game, 25:14). The way he's played thus far, it's not surprising Anderson chooses to keep him out as much as possible.

Thus far, Hainsey and defensive partner Garnet Exelby have provided the physical presence, Atlanta expected. But they also have become one of the Thrashers' most responsible defensive units, with each carrying a plus-four rating into Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. That plus-eight is in stark contrast to last season, when they were a combined minus-28!

"He does everything well,” said Exelby of his partner, who sits in the neighboring stall in the locker room. “He plays offensively well, defensively well, and is physical in our end. He's one of the great additions we made to this team. I'm excited to have him. I don't think we've been this well-balanced as far as depth on the defensive end since I've been here."

If early indications are any sign, Hainsey should really enjoy his new in-season home in Atlanta (he and wife, Hayley reside in Connecticut in the off-season). He's especially happy with the style of play Anderson has instilled.

"The defensemen are going to be looking to provide quite a bit of offense on the back end," he said. "That goes with moving the puck up to the forwards and getting involved and scoring some goals when we have the chance."

Of course, Hainsey has been a fan of Anderson and assistants Steve Weeks and Randy Cunneyworth a lot longer than he might have realized, as he grew up a fan of the Hartford Whalers.



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Ron Hainsey Highlights Although it's doubtful Hainsey, who was born in 1981 and grew up 10 minutes from downtown Hartford, ever saw Anderson, who played with the Whalers from 1985 through 1989, or Weeks, who was there from 1984 through '88 — he might have seen Cunneyworth, a Whaler from 1989 through 1993 — don Whalers green, he still has great memories of the franchise, which has since been known as the Carolina Hurricanes since relocating in 1997.

His loyalty always was to his home team, even though his favorite player growing up was Ray Bourque (his favorite Whaler was captain Ron Francis).

"[The Whalers] didn't really have too many great defensemen coming through there," he said (No offense will be taken by Anderson or Cunneyworth, both wingers and Weeks, a goalie). "But we got to see Bourque and [Brian] Leetch a lot, playing against the Bruins and the Rangers.”

While the Whalers didn't have a memorable defenseman, they did have an unforgettable fight song "The Brass Bonanza," played after every goal and at the start of every period.

"It was cool," Hainsey recalled. "I remember they got rid of it during a time period there. I think it was when [Brian] Burke was GM. The city was up in arms about it. It was definitely unique to the team and the city. It still is to this day."

The Thrashers may not have a fight song but thanks to Hainsey they may once again have a fighting chance of contending in the Eastern Conference.


Jon Cooper is a freelance writer based on Atlanta.

Atlanta Thrashers - Features: Hainsey Already A Difference Maker - 10/20/2008