Hainsey a vocal leader for the Thrashers

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

You don’t just see Ron Hainsey play hockey so much as you hear him.

The Thrashers defenseman is vocal, on and off the ice. Quick with a joke or a good-natured jab at a teammate, he is also good for the well-timed word of advice from a veteran player. It’s what makes him a leader.

There are different kinds of leaders in sports. Some lead by talent. Some lead by example. Hainsey leads by dint of personality.

“I’m more vocal – during the game, on the ice – than a lot of guys on the bench,” Hainsey said. “That’s just the way I’ve always played. ... Everybody is different.”

Hainsey, who came to the Thrashers as a free agent last year, was named one of the team’s alternate captains this season. He brings his six years of NHL experience. He brings his international game experience as a past member of Team USA, including an appearance in the 2009 World Championships. He could play for the USA in next year’s Olympics in Vancouver.

But most off all, he brings his willingness to speak up.

“He’s wearing an ‘A’ this year,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “He’s the kind of leader we want, to be vocal. Sometimes it’s hard to be vocal and say what you feel, because you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. At the same time, sometimes things have to be said in that dressing room.”

The Thrashers finished last season with just 76 points (35-41-6), 13th in the Eastern Conference. Since making their only postseason appearance in the franchise's 10-year history in 2007, they have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.  However, you would never know it to judge by this month, for the Thrashers are one of biggest surprises in the NHL, off to a 4-1-1 start.

They return home Thursday to play host to Washington, their first home game since the opener 18 days ago. The Capitals lead the Southeast Division with 10 points, just a point better than the Thrashers, who have played two fewer games.

The veteran presence of Hainsey is one of several reasons for the team’s fast start. He’s always talking. Make a poor play, he’ll let them know. Make a good play, he’ll let them know. Oh, and when he makes a good play, they’ll all know.

“He’s a quick-witted guy,” forward Colby Armstrong said. “He can catch you pretty good. At the end, it’s kind of like bad-ass, too. He doesn’t give a chuckle at his own joke, he just kind of skates away. So it cuts even deeper. He’s a pretty smart, quick-witted guy.”

With Hainsey’s brand of leadership, it is all about timing. With a joke, sure. But more important is knowing when the time is right for a player to speak up. r Breaking into the NHL as a 21-year-old with the Montreal Canadiens, Hainsey knew, was not that time or place. Now as a veteran with the Thrashers, after three seasons in Columbus, it’s become a natural role for the 28-year-old.

“You’ve got to pay your dues a little bit before you are telling jokes on the ice or in the locker room or being a little more outgoing,” Hainsey said. “For a young player it, can be construed as overconfidence as opposed to just being yourself. ... We have the best job in the world so there is not a reason not to have a lot of fun with it.”

Hainsey became a defenseman at the age of eight. One of the six biggest players on his youth hockey team at home in Connecticut, he was tabbed for defense on the first day. For a short time, he wanted to move back to forward. He even had aspirations to be a goalie.

“I wanted to do it all at that age,” Hainsey said. “But it’s weird how it all worked out.

Hainsey attended the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for two years before leaving for Quebec of the AHL and then making his NHL debut with Montreal in 2002. He played a total of 31 games with the Canadiens over two seasons before returning to the AHL with Hamilton. He broke back into the NHL to stay with Columbus in 2005.

“If I told you I was trying to be a scientist or a world scholar, I’d be lying to you,” Hainsey said of his college experience. “I wanted to turn pro as quick as possible. I liked the college experience ... but the same time I was focused on turning pro.”

Hainsey, who is second on the Thrashers in plus-minus rating at plus-3, has been paired with newcomer Pavel Kubina this season. Hainsey had a career-high 39 points (six goals, 33 assists) for the Thrashers last season, tops among Atlanta defensemen. He has one goal this season.

“Sometimes it takes some time, but me and Ron started playing together in training camp,” Kubina said of his defense partner. “I don’t think it was an issue. He’s played a lot of games in the NHL and he knows what it takes to play in this league.”

Kubina than added, with a smile: “He talks too much sometimes, but he’s a good guy to be around.”