Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton ‘comes home’ for Game 1

In the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Bruins had the ninth overall choice. That was certainly a nice pick option for the Bruins, who had recently celebrated the hoisting of the Stanley Cup in Vancouver. With that ninth overall draft pick, the Boston Bruins selected right-handed defenseman, Dougie Hamilton.

And the rest is history, we should add. After playing in back-to-back World Juniors, the Boston Bruins decided to bring Dougie Hamilton for the start of the shortened 2013 NHL season. He was impressive at the age of 19 as he collected 16 points in 42 games. He also appeared in seven playoff games as the Bruins nearly won another Stanley Cup.

In the 2014-2015 season, Hamilton featured in 72 games gathering 10 goals and 32 assists for 42 points. As 21-year-old that time, he showed his offensive ability while being strong on his skates and also having some experience under his belt with 19 playoff games.

His entry-level contract expired, but he demanded way more than the Bruins would have offered him. Then new Boston Bruins General Manager, Don Sweeney had enough. If there is a player, who doesn’t want to stay with his team, get rid of him.

The Bruins traded him to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Calgary’s 2015 first round pick (15th overall) and two second-round picks (45th overall and 52nd overall).

What seemed to be a very bright future for Dougie Hamilton with the Bruins, winding up in a big disappointment and the displease among the Boston Bruins fanbase.

In 2015, after his trade, Dougie Hamilton signed a six-year deal worth $5,750,000 per season in Calgary. Looking at this contract now, it was more than clear that the Bruins didn’t want to commit to him long-term right away after his entry-level deal.

In his first season with the Flames, Hamilton recorded 43 points in 82 games but was -13 at even-strength. Hamilton turned out to be much better in his next two seasons. However, the Flames decided to trade him, last year, to the Carolina Hurricanes.

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During his first season in Raleigh, Dougie Hamilton has collected 18 goals and 21 assists for 39 points while being at 58,1 at CF%. In the playoffs, he has helped the Hurricanes to progress to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in 10 years with seven points in 11 games. In his past four seasons, Hamilton has missed just one contest.

As the 25-year-old defenceman, Dougie Hamilton, once a promising Bruin, will clash the paths with Boston in the Eastern Conference final. In each of his past games played at TD Garden, the Bruins fans never forgot to boo him. Some boos and jeers will occur this time as well.

Last time Dougie Hamilton played at TD Garden, he was wearing a Hartford Whalers jersey with the number of 19. John McKenzie´s number 19 is already retired by the Hartford Whalers organization. It didn’t make Bruins play-by-play commentator Jack Edwards happy at all. After all, it seems like Hamilton likes to be at the center stage.

For Dougie Hamilton, the goal is rather clear. Make it to the Stanley Cup final. But he has to go through the Boston Bruins. And the Bruins will need to go through him as well. Watch out when number 19 has the puck in this series. Not only because the fans will perhaps target him, but also because of his tremendous abilities.

If the Boston Bruins fans will ever wonder about some personal ‘revenge’ against Dougie Hamilton, the best one can be made on the ice for sure.