HAYES IS SUPERMAN
Wednesday September 19th, 2001 2330NZT

No doubt about it, 'Teddy Bear' Hayes will be the run-away winner of the "Defenseman-of-the-Year" award.

The man-of-steel, (he broke his leg in three places back in 1992 on his very first shift - in his very first CIHA game, and had a metal rod inserted), has lifted his play to a new level that has team-mates gasping.

This is the blue liner who think's he's Paul Coffey's double, recording a staggering 90 points over the last five seasons (41-49-90). That's 90 points in just 96 games - talk about consistent, he should have his own brand of laxative.

His plus minus tally is even more impressive, chalking up a +56 in the last two seasons (33 games). The Rats have scored 182 goals while Hayes has been on the ice during the 2000 and 2001 campaigns, that's a return of 30.8% - not bad if you are in the business of investment banking and high returns.

We know the Rats regard him as one of their treasure's - he's just been voted team captain for the remainder of the play-offs.

And although it could be said that his point totals are down this season (2-6-8), he still leads all Rats defensemen. In place of the pretty plays this year, Hayes has a new dedication to the action from his blue line in. For the first time in three seasons, the Rink Rats do not have the league's best goal tender between the pipes.

His form in the last three months has been nothing sort of faultless, making plays that Robin Hood would have been proud of - why, he regularly steals from the opposing team and then gives the puck to his poor forwards.

So while he may not have blue underwear and x-ray vision, he is able to deke most forwards with just a single move.

And this year, more than any other for the Rats, he's been, well - super.