Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced today the signing of infielder Rhyne Hughes to a contract for the 2014 season. Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season. In 53 games, the left-handed hitting product of Picayune, Miss. hit .278 with five home runs and 30 RBI. “Weve been looking for an impact left-handed bat for the middle of our lineup and were obviously thrilled to have Rhyne Hughes become part of the Goldeyes organization,” Forney said. “Hes the kind of guy that can certainly carry a team for a significant period of time. “Hell hit for power and drive some runs in. Hes13 a 25-30 doubles guy in our league and 10-15 home run type of guy, maybe more depending on how hes seeing the ball. Hes a power threat in the middle of the lineup.” Primarily a first baseman, Hughes made his MLB debut on April 24, 2010 at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. He went two-for-five with an RBI. Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the eighth round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft, Hughes played six seasons in their system before being traded to Baltimore in exchange for catcher Gregg Zaun. Hughes signed as a free agent with the Mets for the 2013 season. He has spent parts of seven seasons at the Class AA and Class AAA levels. He was a Midwest League All-Star in 2006, Florida State League All-Star in 2007, Southern League All-Star in 2009 and named to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team in 2008. In an unrelated move, the Goldeyes have acquired the playing rights of right-handed pitcher Pete Parise from the Lincoln Saltdogs as the player to be name later in the Mike Coles trade from last season. Following that transaction, Parises playing rights have been traded to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for cash considerations. The Goldeyes now have 18 players signed for the 2014 season, including eight pitchers and 10 position players. Basketball Shoes From China . Showing more spark after not taking enough challenging shots on goal in their 1-0 loss Friday night, the Bruins had 18 shots in the first period after managing just 25 in the entire opener. Luke Glendening cut Bostons lead to 2-1 at 13:20 of the second period before Milan Lucic scored late in the second and Zdeno Chara added a power-play goal early in the third. Fake Basketball Shoes . Manager Ryan Nelsen has confirmed Brazilian No. 1 Julio Cesar will be rested for Wednesdays first leg of the semifinal. That opens the door for Bendik, who started 33 games for Toronto last season. https://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.com/ . Granlund scored 2:04 into the first period. 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The first defenceman in franchise history to put up a point in each of his first three games in the league, Percy has at least temporarily taken Jake Gardiners spot in the lineup.Its just how it goes, said Gardiner, who was a healthy scratch for a second straight game Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. Its a business. If someones playing really well or youre not playing your game, youre not going to play.In the process, Percy has given the coaching staff a good problem to have with seven defencemen vying for six spots. In his fourth career game, the 21-year-old was second on the Leafs in ice time with a steady 23:34.Weve said right from the beginning that were going to create competition for positions, coach Randy Carlyle said. If they compete for the position and they earn it, its a novel concept.Percy was a first-round pick in 2011, so his growth into an NHL player shouldnt be a surprise. But he entered training camp staring at three veteran left-handed defencemen firmly ahead of him and Henrik Tallinder with the Leafs on a tryout as the favourite to make it as the No. 7.A shoulder injury to Tallinder and a knee injury to righty Cody Franson opened the gate for Percy to show what he could do. So far, so good.The poise that he has with the puck, the decision-making, he always seems to make that good decision, hold onto the puck when its time, move when its time, Robidas said. Hes very reliable defensively, very good stick, always in good position. Hes been very effective on the power play, as well, and played against some really good players.Carlyle praised Percy for reading where the forecheck is coming from, exiting the zone with one pass and making the right pass in all zones on a consistent basis.Percy, a native of nearby Oakville, Ont., said he takes pride in playing a 200-foot game. His offensive skills were never a question, according to Carlyle, just Percys ability to adapt to this level after one full season in the American Hockey League.Percy showed a flash of being ready in Torontos season opener, when he assisted on a Tyler Bozak power-play goal with a perfect setup from below the goal-line.MMaybe I didnt expect (to adapt this quickly), but I definitely strived for it, Percy said.dddddddddddd Im just playing my usual game. Its how Ive played most of my career. Just sticking to it, keep things simple, be assertive out there and always have your head moving.Carlyle, who enjoyed a 17-year career as a defenceman, knows that the position comes with a steep learning curve. Playing more games with less practice time and at a quicker pace can go against young players, he said.With that in mind, Percy is taking to heart some advice he got from another former NHL defenceman, Steve Staios, whos now in player development for the Leafs.For me just to keep my foot on the gas and dont let up, Percy said. Just to keep playing hard and practising hard every day and working as hard as I can to stay here every day.Percys ability to stick beyond a game or two came at the expense of Gardiner, who hasnt played since Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well removed from his shuttling back and forth between the Leafs and AHLs Toronto Marlies, Gardiner signed a US$20.25-million, five-year contract in the off-season, but that didnt keep him from sitting in the press box two games in a row.This happens, Gardiner said Tuesday morning. Its happened to me a few times before and it happens to everybody. You cant play great all the time. Just rebound the next time I get an opportunity.Gardiner said he has watched a couple of video clips and believes he has to tighten some things up defensively.Carlyle said Gardiner simply needs to play better.We feel that we have a quality hockey player that can play to a higher level, and he agrees with that, Carlyle said.Meanwhile, Percy is playing at perhaps as high a level as can be expected for someone with three games of NHL experience. But with what Carlyle called a comfort zone as far as on-ice instincts, Percy has shown evidence he can stick around for some time.We understand theres going to be valleys and theres going to be hiccups along the way, Carlyle said. But I dont think thats any different than any of our other young defencemen.Percy has simply been better than the Leafs other young defencemen, Gardiner and second-year player Morgan Rielly. All three are lefties, and with captain Dion Phaneuf on that side now there isnt room for all of them at once.We have a healthy, I guess, competition to stay in the lineup and thats always good for the team knowing that the teams going to get everybodys best efforts, Percy said.___Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '