Ron Hainsey

Last updated

Ron Hainsey
Ron Hainsey 2017-12-09.jpg
Hainsey with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017
Born (1981-03-24) March 24, 1981 (age 43)
Bolton, Connecticut, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Columbus Blue Jackets
Atlanta Thrashers
Winnipeg Jets
Carolina Hurricanes
Pittsburgh Penguins
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 13th overall, 2000
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 20012020

Ronald Martin Hainsey (born March 24, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played seventeen years in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, playing over 1,100 career NHL games.

Contents

Hainsey played in the NHL for nearly 16 years (907 games) before playing on a team that made the playoffs, longer than any other player in league history beating the previous record of 799 games held by Olli Jokinen. He then won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in his debut playoff appearance, finishing second in ice time for the playoffs in place of the injured Kris Letang. [1] His record was later passed by Jeff Skinner in 2023.

Early life

Hainsey was born on March 24, 1981, in Bolton, Connecticut, to Marty and Kerry Hainsey. He learned how to skate at the Bolton Ice Palace. [2]

Playing career

Early career

As a youth, Hainsey played in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Springfield, Massachusetts. [3]

Hainsey was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (1999-2001) of the Hockey East NCAA conference. He began his professional career with Montreal's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates, the Quebec Citadelles [4] and Hamilton Bulldogs, [5] and played in the Calder Cup finals against the Houston Aeros, which the Bulldogs lost. [6] Hainsey made his NHL debut for the Canadiens on October 11, 2002, versus the New York Rangers in New York. [7]

Columbus Blue Jackets

After spending three seasons with the Canadiens organization, Hainsey was claimed off waivers on November 29, 2005, by the Columbus Blue Jackets, [5] where he established himself as a solid two-way defenseman. [4]

Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets

On July 2, 2008, as a free agent, Hainsey signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Atlanta Thrashers. [8] He recorded 6 goals and 33 assists in his first season in Atlanta. He would go on to record 45 points in the next two seasons with the Thrashers. [9] After their relocation to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to become the Winnipeg Jets to start the 2011–12 season, [10] Hainsey recorded 10 assists in 56 games. [9]

Hainsey also played a role in the negotiations of the 2012–13 NHL lockout. After a day of marathon bargaining sessions on December 5, 2012, Hainsey emerged to tell the media that both sides planned to meet again the next day. [11] He was a key part of the negotiating team for the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) in the lockout. [4] [12] On January 6, 2013, an agreement was reached to end the lockout. [13] He finished the 2012–13 season with no goals and 13 points in 47 games with the Jets. [14]

Hainsey with the Hurricanes in 2014. Ron Hainsey Hurricanes 2014 (cropped).jpg
Hainsey with the Hurricanes in 2014.

Carolina Hurricanes

On September 12, 2013, Hainsey signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after the team announced that a defenseman Joni Pitkänen would miss the season due to injury. [14] On June 24, 2014, Hainsey signed a new three-year, $8.5 million contract with the Hurricanes. [15] Hainsey was named an alternate captain of the Hurricanes during the 2015–16 season. He marked his 200th NHL assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 20, 2017. [16]

Hainsey with the Penguins in 2017, where he made his playoff debut and won the Stanley Cup. Ron Hainsey 2017-05-25.jpg
Hainsey with the Penguins in 2017, where he made his playoff debut and won the Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins

On February 23, 2017, Hainsey, in the final year of his contract, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and Danny Kristo. [16] It was the first time that he had been traded in his career. [17] It was with the Penguins that on April 12, 2017, after 907 career NHL games and surpassing Olli Jokinen's previous playoff games drought "record", Hainsey made his Stanley Cup playoff debut, doing so against the Columbus Blue Jackets. [1] Hainsey and the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup over the Nashville Predators in the Finals. He was the first player captain Sidney Crosby handed the trophy to, following the victory. [18]

Toronto Maple Leafs

An unrestricted free agent following the season, Hainsey signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2017. [19] He was signed to replace the departing Matt Hunwick, who coincidentally signed with the Penguins that same day. [19] Hainsey was often played alongside Morgan Rielly on the Leafs top defence pairing. [7] [20] On November 1, 2018, Hainsey played in his 1,000 career NHL game. [21]

Ottawa Senators

On July 1, 2019, Hainsey signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Ottawa Senators. [22] For the 2019–20 season, Hainsey was named an alternate captain for the Senators. [23] On December 10, 2019, Hainsey played in his 1,100th game, playing against the team which drafted him, the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal. [24] On December 19, 2019, it was announced that Hainsey suffered a knee injury in the 5–4 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators. He missed seven games before returning to the ice on January 9, 2020. [25] On April 1, 2021, Hainsey announced his retirement from the NHL. [26]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1996–97New England Jr. Whalers EJHL
1997–98 US NTDP U17 USDP1827928
1997–98US NTDP Juniors USHL 30000
1997–98US NTDP U18 NAHL 4047111650110
1998–99US NTDP JuniorsUSHL485121745
1999–2000 University of Massachusetts Lowell HE 30381120
2000–01 University of Massachusetts LowellHE3310263651
2000–01 Quebec Citadelles AHL 4101010000
2001–02 Quebec CitadellesAHL63724312630000
2002–03 Montreal Canadiens NHL 210002
2002–03 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL332111326231101120
2003–04 Montreal CanadiensNHL111124
2003–04 Hamilton BulldogsAHL547243135100556
2004–05 Hamilton BulldogsAHL68914234541120
2005–06 Hamilton BulldogsAHL223141719
2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL552151743
2006–07 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL809253469
2007–08 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL788243225
2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers NHL816333932
2009–10 Atlanta ThrashersNHL805212639
2010–11 Atlanta ThrashersNHL823161924
2011–12 Winnipeg Jets NHL560101023
2012–13 Winnipeg JetsNHL470131310
2013–14 Carolina Hurricanes NHL824111545
2014–15 Carolina HurricanesNHL81281016
2015–16 Carolina HurricanesNHL815141937
2016–17 Carolina HurricanesNHL564101417
2016–17 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL160334252686
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL80419232070114
2018–19 Toronto Maple LeafsNHL81518232170112
2019–20 Ottawa Senators NHL641111212
NHL totals1,1325925231144339281012

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
1999 United States WJC18 7th62138
2000 United States WJC 4th71124
2001 United StatesWJC5th70552
2009 United States WC 4th92462
Junior totals20371014
Senior totals92462

Awards and honors

Hainsey with the Stanley Cup, after winning the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ron Hainsey with Stanley Cup 2017-06-11.jpg
Hainsey with the Stanley Cup, after winning the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
AwardYear
College
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 2000
All-Hockey East First Team 2001
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 2001
AHL
All-Star Game 2002 [27]
All-Rookie Team 2002
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2017 [18]

Personal life

Hainsey and his wife Hayley have three children. Hainsey met his wife in Hamilton, Ontario, when he was playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs. [28] Following his retirement from the NHL, Hainsey became an executive in the NHLPA. [29]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Veteran Ron Hainsey is about to (finally) make his playoff debut". Sportsnet. April 11, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  2. "Ron Hainsey Stats and News". NHL.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  3. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Friedman, Elliotte (December 8, 2012). "Ron Hainsey: The NHLPA's 'bad cop?'". CBC Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Blue Jackets grab Hainsey from Habs". CBC Sports. November 29, 2005. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  6. Pinchevsky, Tal (May 30, 2017). "After waiting 14 years, Penguins defenseman Ron Hainsey grateful for first shot at Stanley Cup". ESPN. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Johnston, Chris (October 31, 2018). "Maple Leafs' Ron Hainsey reluctant to embrace celebrated milestone". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  8. "Thrashers sign UFA defenseman Ron Hainsey". Atlanta Thrashers. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  9. 1 2 "Ron Hainsey". NHL.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  10. "Winnipeg cheers return of NHL". CBC Sports. May 31, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  11. LeBrun, Pierre [@PierreVLeBrun] (December 5, 2012). "Ron Hainsey meeting media now" (Tweet). Retrieved December 5, 2012 via Twitter.
  12. Yerdon, Joe (December 8, 2012). "Is the lockout going to get Ron Hainsey blacklisted by the owners?". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  13. Perry, Rod (January 6, 2013). "NHL, players' union reach tentative deal to end lockout". CBC News. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  14. 1 2 Polzer, Tim (September 12, 2013). "Hurricanes sign Ron Hainsey to one-year, $2 million deal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  15. "Canes sign Ron Hainsey to three-year deal". Canes Country. June 24, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Penguins Acquire Defenseman Ron Hainsey". Pittsburgh Penguins. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017 via NHL.com.
  17. "10 Under-the-Radar Trade Targets for 2017 Deadline". The Hockey News. February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  18. 1 2 "Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Leafs add Ron Hainsey, Dom Moore to roster". Toronto Sun . July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  20. Zwolinski, Mark (March 24, 2019). "The value of Leafs defenceman Ron Hainsey isn't always found in the numbers". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  21. Davidson, Neil (November 2, 2018). "Leafs defenceman Ron Hainsey joins select group, marks his 1,000th NHL game". CTV News. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  22. "Senators sign Ron Hainsey to one-year contract". Ottawa Senators. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  23. "Mark Borowiecki, Ron Hainsey, Jean-Gabriel Pageau named alternate captains for Senators". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. September 12, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  24. Garrioch, Bruce (December 10, 2019). "Garrioch: Ron Hainsey plays milestone game in Montreal, where his career started". Windsor Star. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  25. Garrioch, Bruce (January 9, 2020). "Snapshots: Looks like Ron Hainsey is ready to return to the Ottawa blueline". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  26. "Ron Hainsey: Retires from hockey". CBS Sports. April 1, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  27. "Canadian All-Stars 13, Planet USA All-Stars 11". American Hockey League . February 14, 2002. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  28. Jacobs, Jeff (August 22, 2017). "Jeff Jacobs: After Long Road From Bolton To Stanley Cup, Hainsey Brings It Home". Hartford Courant. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  29. "Ron Hainsey and Sean Bergenheim New Additions to NHLPA" (Press release). National Hockey League Players' Association. April 1, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2000
Succeeded by