The Colorado Avalanche have announced the signings of forwards David Jones, Chris Durno, Darren Haydar, Matt Hendricks and Brian Willsie, as well as goaltender Tyler Weiman.
Jones, 24, played in 40 games for the Avalanche during the 2008-09 campaign, totaling eight goals and 13 points. The Guelph, Ontario suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Jan. 27 that forced him to miss the final 34 games. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right wing was Colorado's eighth selection (ninth round, 288th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Durno, 28, played two games with the Avalanche last season after being recalled on Jan. 17. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound center skated in 76 games for Lake Erie and led the club with 18 goals.
Haydar, 29, spent the 2008-09 campaign with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, where he led the club in goals (31), assists (49) and points (80). Nashville's 15th pick (ninth round, 248th overall) in the 1999 Entry Draft, Haydar made his NHL debut with the Predators during the 2002-03 season.
Hendricks, 28, was recalled from Lake Erie twice during the 2008-09 campaign. The Blaine, Minn., native appeared in four games with the Avalanche, making his NHL debut on March 10 vs. Atlanta.
Willsie, 31, recorded four points in 42 games for the Avalanche after being recalled from Lake Erie on Nov. 22. Willsie, who signed with the Avalanche as a free agent on July 15, 2008, was originally Colorado's seventh selection (sixth round, 146th overall) in the 1996 Entry Draft. The Belmont, Ontario native has tallied 108 points in 376 career games in the NHL.
Weiman, 25, led the American Hockey League with eight shutouts in 2008-09, posting a 21-20-2 record with a 2.46 GAA in 44 appearances for the Lake Erie Monsters. Colorado's sixth choice (fifth round, 164th overall) in the 2002 Entry Draft, Weiman has appeared in one game for the Avalanche, Oct. 4, 2007.
