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WINNIPEG -- Life in the NHL can begin anew at 30, at least for Winnipeg Jets defenceman Adam Pardy. After 58 games this season Pardy has five assists, is a plus three and logging upwards of 18 minutes a night. "I think its gone in the right direction, where I definitely wanted it to go" he said this week of his first season with the Jets. He never has been an offensive defenceman who posted big numbers. But his responsible style seems to be what the Jets need and the six-foot-four, 220-pound native of Bonavista, N.L., brings some much-needed size to Winnipegs blue-line. "This year its been an interesting year," he said. "From sitting out 15 games in a row, being a healthy scratch, to now playing some minutes and finally getting my game going." Pardy has had more than his share of hard luck since turning pro in 2005 and admits there were times when he wondered if he would continue. "It doesnt go back to the start of this year, it goes back to the day I left Calgary and when I blew my shoulder out and went to Dallas and things just didnt go well," he said. "You start thinking that youre not good enough and its really tough to play and I think thats where I was a while back . . . last year and the year before. Confidence is a tough thing to get, and once you lose it its hard to get back." Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round in 2004, he turned professional in 2005 and began the season with Calgarys AHL affiliate. It wasnt a great start, and he soon found himself in the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. After his play improved he went back to the AHL and made his NHL debut in the Flames season opener in 2008. He finished his second NHL season with two goals and seven assists in 57 games but a separated shoulder caused him to miss the first two months of the 2010-11 season. He missed the last two months as well because of injury. The following season as a free agent, he signed a two-year, US$4 million contract with the Dallas Stars but started on injured reserve list and ended up playing only 36 games before being traded to Buffalo. Once again, Pardy split the lockout-abbreviated season between the NHL and AHL, and this season Winnipeg became his fourth team in four seasons when he signed a US$600,000 one-year deal. He also had to clear waivers and spent some time with Winnipegs AHL affiliate in St. Johns. "Its never an easy thing to deal with, being set down to the minors," Pardy said. "Pretty much every player has to deal with something like that as some point in their career. You learn from it and take whatever you can out of it to make yourself better the next day." An injury to Jacob Trouba, Winnipegs No. 1 draft pick in 2012 and one of their star rookies this season, saw Pardy brought back after only a few games. He says, in some ways, hes had to go back to that nervous kid who suited up for the first time with the Flames as he rebuilds his game. "As every games gone on, I feel a little more comfortable with the puck, a little more confident." Pardy also became the focus of attention for Winnipeg fans when he had his helmet ripped off by a Chicago fan after he was checked through the glass at the United Center, then had a beer poured over his head. "Its tough enough to get put through the glass, but then to get a beer thrown on my head, too, not a good thing," he said at the time. A radio host tried to promote a "helmet Pardy" and get fans to wear helmets when Chicago next visited Winnipeg but Jets co-owner Mark Chipman killed the stunt. For his part, Pardy not only kept his cool when he was subjected to the beer shower, he says hes tried to stop worrying about his future. "You stay patient, you stay confident and good things are going to happen and you know what, if not, then theres a lot more to life than just hockey," he said. Justin Faulk Jersey . Toronto announced the deal with the restricted free agent on Saturday. The terms were not disclosed. Rod Brind Amour Jersey . The 20-year-old Barkley, whose impressive form this season could earn him a place in Englands World Cup squad, was hurt in Evertons 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup on Jan. http://www.hockeyhurricanes.com/.com) - American Madison Keys grabbed a first- round victory on Sunday in a rainy start to the Apia International Sydney tournament. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St.ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders hired Denver defensive co-ordinator Jack Del Rio as their new head coach on Wednesday in hopes that the Bay Area native who grew up cheering for the Raiders can return the team to its glory days.A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed on condition of anonymity that Del Rio signed a four-year deal to replace interim coach Tony Sparano. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement from the team wasnt expected until Thursday.Del Rio becomes Oaklands ninth head coach since the start of the 2003 season. The Raiders have the NFLs worst record in that span, having failed to produce a single winning season or playoff berth.Del Rio replaces Sparano, who was elevated from offensive line coach during the past season to replace the fired Dennis Allen and had hoped to keep the job. Oakland went 3-9 under Sparano after losing the first four games under Allen.The Raiders interviewed at least seven candidates but only Del Rio got a formal second interview. He emerged as the favourite after Denvers season ended Sunday with a playoff loss to Indianapolis.After meeting with owner Mark Davis in Denver during the Broncos bye week, Del Rio had his second interview in the Bay Area on Tuesday with Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie.This marks the second straight time the Raiders hired a Denver defensive co-ordinator as their coach. Allen spent one year running the Broncos defence before being hired by McKenzie in 2012. He went 8-28 before getting fired last season.Del Rio grew up in Hayward, just a short drive from the Coliseum. He went to Raiders games as a kid and even played a high school championship game at the Coliseum. His parents are still season-ticket holders and now will get the chance to watch their son coach their favourite team.Del Rio has been defensive co-ordinator in Denver for the past three seasons, helping the Broncos win three straight AFC West titles.Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu, a teammate of Del Rios in football, basketball and baseball at Hayward High School, said he is thrilled Del Rio will get to go back and coach near his family.Wakamatsu and Del Rio have stayed close through the years, and Del Rio visited spring training when Wakamatsu managed the Seattle Mariners..ddddddddddddHe came to San Francisco for a World Series game in October.Hes one of the best ones out there, Wakamatsu said. I dont think they could have made a better hire. Thats not just me as a friend talking. Thats knowing the intelligence and leadership skills he has. Ive always had utmost respect for him as an athlete, coach and friend.Denver ranked third in total defence and tied for 16th in scoring defence this past season. The Broncos were third in total defence and 10th in scoring defence in Del Rios three years with the team.Before that, he was head coach in Jacksonville for nine seasons. Del Rio had a 68-71 regular-season record with the Jaguars and made the playoffs in 2005 and 2007, winning one playoff game in his second post-season trip. He was fired with five games remaining in the 2011 season.He has extensive NFL experience, having played 12 seasons as a linebacker and coaching with New Orleans, Baltimore and Carolina before getting the head coaching job with the Jaguars.This is just the fourth time the Raiders have hired a coach with previous head coaching experience. Neither Joe Bugel, Norv Turner nor Art Shell in his second stint managed to get into the playoffs.Despite the 3-13 record last season, the Raiders do have some pieces to build around led by quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack. Those two were part of a talented rookie class that also included guard Gabe Jackson, defensive tackle Justin Ellis and cornerback TJ Carrie.The other candidates who interviewed for the job were former Raiders, Denver and Washington coach Mike Shanahan, Philadelphia offensive co-ordinator Pat Shurmur, San Francisco tight ends coach Eric Mangini, Seattle offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell, and Indianapolis offensive co-ordinator Pep Hamilton.Del Rios hiring in Oakland might also facilitate the acquisition of unrestricted free agent nose tackle Terrance Pot Roast Knighton, who has thrived under Del Rios tutelage in Jacksonville and Denver.While Knighton has said repeatedly he wanted to stay in Denver, he recently told The Associated Press, I want to be wherever Jack is. Ill just leave it at that.___AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '