Dougie Hamilton Explained

Dougie Hamilton
Birth Date:17 June 1993
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:229
Position:Defence
Shoots:Right
League:NHL
Team:New Jersey Devils
Former Teams:Boston Bruins
Calgary Flames
Carolina Hurricanes
Draft:9th overall
Draft Year:2011
Draft Team:Boston Bruins
Career Start:2013

Douglas Jonathan Hamilton[1] (born June 17, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, and Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins selected him in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Hamilton was born on June 17, 1993, in Toronto, Ontario.[2] Both of his parents participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles: his father Doug was a rower in the men's quadruple sculls, while his mother Lynn was a point guard for the Canadian women's basketball team. As a result, Hamilton and his older brother Freddie were exposed to many different sports in their childhoods, from which both developed a passion for ice hockey.[3] He spent three years at Crestwood Preparatory College, after which the Hamiltons moved from Toronto to St. Catharines and he transferred to Governor Simcoe Secondary School.[4] [5] Hamilton played minor ice hockey for the St. Catharines Falcons of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, where he scored 20 goals and 53 points during the 2008-09 season.[6]

Playing career

Amateur

He was selected by his hometown Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the second round, 27th overall, of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.

Hamilton played for the Icedogs for three-and-a-half seasons. During his time, he was teammates with future NHL players such as Ryan Strome, Andrew Shaw and Brett Ritchie. Hamilton was also teammates with his older brother Freddie, who was a fifth-round selection of the San Jose Sharks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Hamilton was ranked fourth by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for North American skaters for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Hamilton was drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins.

On December 8, 2011, Hamilton signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins.[7]

Professional

Boston Bruins (2013–2015)

Hamilton began the 2012–13 season with the IceDogs. However, he was recalled by the Bruins to play for the club during the NHL's lockout-shortened season. On January 19, 2013, Hamilton made his NHL debut for the Bruins in a 3–1 victory against the New York Rangers,[8] and two games later, on January 23, Hamilton scored his first NHL point for an assist in an overtime loss against the Rangers in Madison Square Garden.[9] On February 15, Hamilton scored his first career NHL goal against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres.[10] Hamilton made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on May 3, replacing defenceman Andrew Ference, who was serving a one-game suspension for his illegal hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski. On April 25, Hamilton was named the 44th Annual NESN 7th Player recipient, an award given to the Bruin who most exceeded all expectations that season, as voted by the team's fans.[11]

Calgary Flames (2015–2018)

On June 26, 2015, during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, as an impending restricted free agent on July 1 and with the Bruins facing salary cap constraints, Hamilton was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a first-round draft pick (used to select Zachary Senyshyn) and two second-round picks (used to select Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Jérémy Lauzon), all in the 2015 Draft.[12] Four days later, on June 30, Hamilton signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Flames worth $5.75 million annually.[13]

During the 2016–17 season, Hamilton was paired with Mark Giordano, prompting greater defensive play in both players.[14] [15] The pairing helped the Flames make the playoffs for the second time in three years. The playoffs were short-lived for the Flames, who lost to the Anaheim Ducks in four games.[16] On February 17, 2018, Hamilton played in his 400th NHL game during which he recorded his first NHL hat-trick.[17]

Carolina Hurricanes (2018–2021)

On June 23, 2018, Hamilton was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes (along with teammate Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox) in exchange for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin.[18] After a respectable first season with Carolina, Hamilton began the 2019–20 season playing some of the best hockey of his career before his regular season was cut short when he broke his fibula on January 16, 2020.[19] He finished the regular season scoring 40 points in 47 games played.[20] As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL season was paused, and delayed for several months allowing Hamilton to return for Carolina's final five games of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.[21] Despite missing several months of games due to his injury, Hamilton finished seventh in James Norris Memorial Trophy voting.[22] Coming back from injury while playing on an expiring contract, Hamilton had another stellar year, finishing the 2020–21 season fourth in Norris Trophy voting.[23]

New Jersey Devils (2021–present)

After three productive seasons with the Hurricanes, Hamilton left the club as a free agent and on July 28, 2021, he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.[24]

On November 28, 2023, in a game against the New York Islanders, Hamilton suffered a torn left pectoral. Following successful surgery he was placed on injured reserve, expected to be out indefinitely.[25]

International play

Hamilton participated at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in Canada and won the bronze medal. Hamilton played for the team the following tournament, where Canada finished fourth.

Personal life

After retiring from professional athletics, Hamilton's father became a lawyer and an athletic executive, serving as chair of the 2022 Canada Summer Games.[26] His older brother Freddie was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2010 and played for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Arizona Coyotes.[27] [28] After his release from the Coyotes in 2018,[29] Freddie retired from hockey and returned to school to pursue his Master of Business Administration from Yale University.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2008–09St. Catharines Falcons AAASCT U1667 20 33 53 26
2009–10Niagara IceDogsOHL64 3 13 16 365 0 1 1 4
2010–11Niagara IceDogsOHL67 12 46 58 7714 4 12 16 16
2011–12Niagara IceDogsOHL50 17 55 72 4720 5 18 23 16
2012–13Niagara IceDogsOHL32 8 33 41 32
2012–13Boston BruinsNHL42 5 11 16 147 0 3 3 0
2013–14Boston BruinsNHL64 7 18 25 4012 2 5 7 14
2014–15Boston BruinsNHL72 10 32 42 41
2015–16Calgary FlamesNHL82 12 31 43 46
2016–17Calgary FlamesNHL81 13 37 50 644 0 1 1 8
2017–18Calgary FlamesNHL82 17 27 44 64
2018–19Carolina HurricanesNHL82 18 21 39 5415 3 4 7 10
2019–20Carolina HurricanesNHL47 14 26 40 325 1 1 2 4
2020–21Carolina HurricanesNHL55 10 32 42 3511 2 3 5 12
2021–22New Jersey DevilsNHL62 9 21 30 34
2022–23New Jersey DevilsNHL82 22 52 74 5012 1 3 4 2
2023–24New Jersey DevilsNHL20 5 11 16 20
NHL totals771 142 319 461 49466 9 20 29 50

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2010Canada OntarioU1760110
2010CanadaIH185 1 2 3 2
2012CanadaWJC6 2 4 6 6
2013CanadaWJC4th6 1 1 2 0
Junior totals23 4 8 12 8

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
OHL
Ivan Tennant Memorial Award2009–10[30]
OHL Second Team All-Star2010–11[31]
Bobby Smith Trophy2010–11[32]
CHL Scholastic Player of the Year2010–11[33]
OHL First Team All-Star2011–12
Max Kaminsky Trophy2011–12[34]
2011–12
NHL
All-Star Game2020[35] [36]
Second All-Star Team2021
Boston Bruins
Seventh Player Award2012–13[37]
Calgary Flames
J. R. "Bud" McCaig Award2016–17

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dougie Hamilton . Elite Prospects . April 4, 2022.
  2. Web site: Dougie Hamilton Stats and News . . April 4, 2022.
  3. News: Cruickshank . Scott . Hockey grew into Hamilton's passion out of multi-sport upbringing by Olympian parents . . October 6, 2015 . April 4, 2022.
  4. News: Fox . Luke . Young Dougie Hamilton stars in Maple Leafs hype video . . April 2, 2019 . April 4, 2022.
  5. News: Ballou . Bill . Freddie, Dougie Hamilton friends, rivals . . October 17, 2012 . April 4, 2022 . limited.
  6. News: Decade of 'Dogs – Dougie Hamilton . . . August 5, 2016 . April 4, 2022.
  7. Web site: Dougie Hamilton signed to three-year contract by Bruins . . 2011-12-08 . 2011-12-08.
  8. Web site: Big Bad Blog » Dougie Hamilton ready for NHL debut. January 20, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130120183249/http://bigbadblog.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/2013/01/19/dougie-hamilton-ready-for-nhl-debut/. January 20, 2013. dead.
  9. Web site: Hamilton's Coming Out Party . Russo . Eric . January 24, 2013 . BostonBruins.com . January 22, 2013.
  10. Web site: Bruins vs. Sabres - 02/15/2013 . Associated Press . February 15, 2013 . BostonBruins.com . February 18, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130320075452/http://bruins.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2012020197 . March 20, 2013 . dead .
  11. Web site: Hamilton named NESN's seventh player . . 2013-04-25 . 2013-04-25.
  12. Web site: Bruins trade Dougie Hamilton to Flames before 2015 NHL draft. . 2015-06-26 . 2015-06-26 .
  13. Web site: Flames sign defenceman Dougie Hamilton to US$34.5-million, 6-year deal. NHL.com. NHL. 15 December 2017. Calgary. 30 June 2015.
  14. Web site: Yost. Travis. Hamilton and Giordano are the best pairing in hockey. tsn.ca. March 22, 2018. March 23, 2017.
  15. News: Odland. Kristen. Flames blue-liner Hamilton credits the captain for his 2016-17 turnaround season. March 23, 2018. Calgary Herald. April 26, 2017.
  16. News: Gilbertson. Wes. Flames fall short, swept out of playoffs by Ducks. March 23, 2018. Calgary Herald. April 20, 2017.
  17. Web site: Rocchi. Daniel. FLAMES FALL TO PANTHERS. NHL.com. March 23, 2018. February 17, 2018.
  18. Web site: Brown. Michael. Canes Acquire Hamilton, Ferland and Fox From Flames. NHL.com. June 23, 2018. June 23, 2018.
  19. Web site: Smith . Michael . Dougie Hamilton Suffers Broken Left Fibula . NHL.com . November 3, 2021 . January 16, 2020.
  20. Web site: Brehm. Mike. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton breaks leg in scary-looking fall. USAToday.com. October 15, 2021. January 17, 2020.
  21. Web site: Bergeron scores in 2nd OT, Bruins beat Hurricanes in Game 1 . AP News . November 3, 2021 . August 12, 2020.
  22. Web site: Rorabaugh. Seth. PHWA reveals 2020 NHL Awards ballots. ThePWHA.com. October 15, 2021. September 22, 2020.
  23. Web site: Seravalli. Frank. PHWA reveals 2021 NHL Awards ballots. ThePWHA.com. October 15, 2021. June 30, 2021.
  24. Web site: Dougie Hamilton Agrees to Terms on 7-Year Contract with Devils . NHL.com . July 29, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  25. Web site: Kasan . Sam . Hamilton, Nosek Out After Surgery, Nemec Recalled . New Jersey Devils . December 2, 2023 . December 1, 2023.
  26. News: Robinson . Peter . Hamilton Comes from Strong Family Background . National Hockey League . New Jersey Devils . July 30, 2021 . April 4, 2022.
  27. News: Morin . Richard . Newly acquired forward Freddie Hamilton sees a great future for the Coyotes . . January 6, 2018 . April 4, 2022.
  28. News: Gilbertson . Wes . Flames lose Dougie Hamilton's brother, Freddie, on waivers . Calgary Sun . January 4, 2018 . April 4, 2022.
  29. News: Freddie Hamilton: Not tendered by 'Yotes . . . June 26, 2018 . April 4, 2022.
  30. Book: Bell . Aaron . 2013–14 OHL Information Guide . Ontario Hockey League . 2013 . 141.
  31. Book: Bell . Aaron . 2013–14 OHL Information Guide . Ontario Hockey League . 2013 . 144.
  32. Book: Bell . Aaron . 2013–14 OHL Information Guide . Ontario Hockey League . 2013 . 140.
  33. Book: Bell . Aaron . 2013–14 OHL Information Guide . Ontario Hockey League . 2013 . 142.
  34. Book: Bell . Aaron . 2013–14 OHL Information Guide . Ontario Hockey League . 2013 . 134.
  35. Did not play
  36. Web site: NHL All-Star Game rosters revealed . . December 30, 2019 . December 30, 2019.
  37. News: Dougie Hamilton wins Bruins' Seventh Player Award for 2013 season . NESN . 2013-04-25 . 2015-09-30.