Hachborn Gives the Gulls Depth

Rick Dudley hears the rumbles when the Gulls visit other IHL cities.

The message: Break up the Gulls!

Instead, Dudley and General Manager Don Waddell strengthened the team Monday by signing center Len Hachborn, who last season led the league with 73 assists and scored 34 goals.

The Gulls already lead the IHL with 79 goals.

“We never said this team is a perfect team,” said Dudley. “And we never stopped looking to improve it. I think once a team does that, it’s in trouble.”

Hachborn contemplated rejoining the Gulls during the summer, but instead hooked up with Glasgow, Scotland.

“My heart told me to stay here,” Hachborn said. “And my family liked it here, but I just thought it would be better financially and for my future to go.”

Glasgow played only three games before it went under, and Hachborn, 31, has not seen a dime of the money promised him.

All of which hastened his return to the Gulls (15-0-1), who become even more ominous.

Hachborn, who has skated four times in the past month, said he does not know if he will suit up for Wednesday’s game against Cleveland (7 p.m. at the Sports Arena).

“It’s a tough lineup to crack,” he said. “And it’s a tough decision because the team is going so well.”