Dougie Hamilton

History

2008-09: Dougie Hamilton played for the St. Catharines Minor Midget Falcons, appearing in 67 games for that club.  He scored 20 goals and added 33 assists for 53 points.  The Niagara Ice Dogs chose Hamilton in the second round, 27th overall, of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.

2009-10: Hamilton played in his OHL rookie season with the Ice Dogs.  In 64 games, he scored 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points.  He played in 5 playoff games for the Ice Dogs, picking up 1 assist.  Hamilton played for Team Ontario at the World U-17 Junior Challenge, picking up 1 assist in 6 games for the silver medal-winning squad.

2010-11: In 67 games for the Ice Dogs, Hamilton scored 12 goals and chipped in 46 assists for 58 points.  His point total placed him fourth overall in scoring among OHL defensemen.  Hamilton played for Team Orr at the 2011 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, scoring a goal in the 7-1 Orr victory.

2011-12: Hamilton was named the top defenseman in Canadian major junior hockey and skated for Canada at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. Playing for a powerful Niagara Sea Dogs squad along with his older brother Freddie, a forward and Sharks prospect, Dougie Hamilton led all OHL defensemen in scoring with 17 goals and 55 assists in 49 games. He missed ten games due to a suspension for an illegal hit to the head and was plus-37 with 47 penalty minutes. Niagara finished first in the Central Division and reached the OHL Finals. Hamilton scored 5 goals with 18 assists and was plus-15 with 16 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games. Playing for bronze medal-winning Canada at the WJC, he scored 2 goals with 4 assists and was plus-7 with 6 penalty minutes. Hamilton signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins in December 2011. 

 

Talent Analysis

Immense, mobile defenseman who excels in all three zones. Born of Olympic bloodlines, Dougie Hamilton’s athleticism shows in his skating, where he has the speed to recover and catch players if he gets beat on a pinch, the mobility to turn and retrieve dump-ins before opposing forecheckers, and the shiftiness to carry the puck and beat defenders one-on-one. As of this writing Hamilton is 6’5” but he’s grown an inch and a half over the course of the season so he may in fact top out in the 6’6” range.

In terms of game play, Hamiton is a strong defender, he has an active stick that he uses to break up players trying to beat him one-on-one and to disrupt passing plays. Reads the play well. Jumps up and joins the rush whenever the opportunity presents and, as a converted winger, is also comfortable carrying the puck and leading the rush. His ability to break up offensive forays combined with his ability to join the attack make him a potent transition threat. He sees the ice well, particularly on the breakout and can recognize both short and long-distance passing options, though he could use some work on his touch when going for distance. In the offensive zone he walks the line well, rotates with forwards, and looks comfortable pursuing the play down low. Has a big point shot and a heavy one-timer that he’s eager to use at the top of the umbrella on the power play. Is highly intelligent both on and off the ice. Also has a burgeoning physical game and shows a penchant for big open ice hits.

 

Future

The sky’s the limit for Hamilton. He has all the tools to become a number one defenseman in the NHL. Comparisons have ranged from Brent Burns to Rob Blake, the former being the comp Peter Chiarelli has used. But patience is needed in terms of his immediate future. He’s grown so much, so fast that he’s rail thin, and needs at least another year to fill out his massive frame.