PITTSBURGH -- It's been 14 years since Ron Hainsey last enjoyed an extended playoff run. A first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2000 NHL draft, the defenseman was developing with the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, in the spring of 2003. He and the Bulldogs advanced all the way to the Calder Cup Final before losing to the Houston Aeros in seven games.
It was a sad ending but ultimately a gratifying experience for Hainsey, who in two seasons at UMass-Lowell had gone a combined 28-38-6 and never sniffed the postseason.