Focus on a Thrasher: Ron Hainsey

FINALLY! My last "Focus On A Thrasher" for the 2008-09 season. I've enjoyed doing the focuses (or foci as my husband and I call them) but they ARE a good bit of work and I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm glad it's done. Good thing I don't have a job getting in the way!


I've done a focus on every player that played a significant amount of games and finished the season with the Thrashers, except Erik Perrin. I figured no one would miss that one and it did not mess up my sequence. The focuses are done in a very precise sequence that I figured out. I did have to pull Ex out of the line up and do a special one for him since he left. I did Colin Stuart's focus before he left.


So I've saved one of the best for last, Ron Hainsey. It worked out well because Ron has been in the media quite a bit this week so it seems nicely timed.


Hainsey is a popular guy in Atlanta. The ladies of all ages love him.



More female adoration. Like this picture? You can vote for it on ESPN's fan favorite. I'm woefully behind 1st place these days. It's not that it's a great pic, but I entered it in the category of "Fandamonium" and thought it would be fun to see a Thrasher (or any freaking hockey for that matter) in ESPN Magazine. If you haven't voted, you can vote once per email. http://theshot.espn.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1008500083





Ron is more than just a pretty face though. Although I've been known to refer to him on this blog as "Hot Ass Hainsey," he's a pretty darn decent Dman.





He's also funny as hell as he proved in this in-arena video they made spoofing Alex Ovechkin.


So let's learn about Ronsey!





Ronald Hainsey was born on March 24, 1981 in Bolton Connecticut. The Connecticut connection, another reason we love Hainsey at my house, my husband is from Connecticut.





Much like my husband, Ron's favorite hockey team while growing up was the Hartford Whalers. His favorite baseball team is the Yankees, that's where he and my husband part ways, hubby loves the Mets.





Ron started his hockey career in the United States National Team Development Program. In 1997-98 season he played 3 games with the U.S. Junior National Team and 40 games for the U.S. National Under-18 Team.





Hainsey spent the entire 1998-99 season with the US. Junior National Team.





In 1999 Ron went to "get his learn on." He enrolled at The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass-Lowell), the River Hawks.





I heard somewhere that Ron majored in Criminal Justice while at UMass-Lowell, but I have no source or real information for that fact. It would be cool though because that is what I majored in.





In the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Ron was drafted in the first round (13th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens. Ron continued playing for the River Hawks for most of the 2000-01 season, but did play 4 games for the Quebec Citadelles, the AHL affiliate at the time for the Montreal Canadiens. Ron scored 36 points that season, the second highest of his career.





Hainsey spent the entire 2001-02 season with the Quebec Citadelles playing in 63 games and scoring 31 points. In 2002 the Quebec Citadelles were relocated and merged into the Hamilton Bulldogs. Hainsey split the 2002-03 season between the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Montreal Canadiens. Ron made his NHL debut on October 11, 2002 against the Washington Capitals.





The 2003-04 season saw Hainsey spending most of his time with the Hamilton Bulldogs, playing 54 games. He did see some action with the Canadiens, playing 11 games in Montreal.





During the 2004-05 lockout, Ron spent the entire season with the Bulldogs playing in 68 games and scoring 23 points. Ron played 22 games with the Bulldogs in the 2005-06 season, but on November 29, 2005 Ron was claimed off of waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He went on to establish himself into a leading two-way defenseman.





The 2006-07 season was Hainsey's first full season with the Blue Jackets. He played in 80 games and scored 34 points. He set his single-season high in goals (9), assists(25) and points. He also led the team defensemen in points and was second on the team in power play goals.





The 2007-08 season was another good one for Hainsey with him playing 78 games and scoring 32 points. He ranked 4th on Columbus in assists and points and was second on the team in power play goals and average ice time. On December 21, he appeared in his 200th NHL game against the LA Kings.





On July 2, 2008 Ron became a Thrasher (cheer!!) when he signed a five year contract with Atlanta. The season was good for Ron, he earned a career high 39 points in 81 games. Led team defensemen in points, including his 100th career point on December 2. He appeared in his 3ooth career game on February 10 at Tampa Bay. He also set a new career-best with his 26th assist on February 28 against Carolina.





Ron is an "All American Boy" and has represented the US several times. In 1999 he played in the IIHF World U18 Championship. In 2000 and 2001 he played in the World Junior Championship. This summer he played in the World Championship. Most recently, he was invited to the training camp for Team USA for the Olympics. Go Ron!





Hainsey has some fun quirks. He ALWAYS stands to the left of the net during warm ups. He also stretches in the EXACT same spot at the beginning of the third period. (as seen below)

More fun Ronsey facts:

• He likes the show "Entourage."
• On his Ipod is Pearl Jam, the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Lady Gaga.
• He drives a blue Hummer (it's nice, while trying not to hit it while pulling into a parking space I almost ran over one of the prospects)
• His favorite movies are Goodfellas and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
• He has a lovely wife named Hayley.
• He doesn't like his toes.
• He says his worst habit is that he swears to much. (I've heard a few foul words fly from his mouth at practice)
• He thinks Eric Boulton is the funniest guy on the team.
• He said to the AJC that Colby Armstrong is the biggest smack talker (but in a recent interview said it was Boultsie)
• He thinks Kovy and Rick Nash are the best people he's played with.
• He likes steak and lobster.

So that's it for Hainsey! I hope he has continued success here in Atlanta.