Al Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Allan Guy Hamilton is a retired Canadian
ice hockey
defenceman
, most notably with the Edmonton Oilers
of the World Hockey Association
. He also played in the National Hockey League
for the New York Rangers
, Buffalo Sabres
and Edmonton Oilers
.
of the National Hockey League
as a teenager, Hamilton spent his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings
. He met with great success in juniors, being one of the rare players to play in the Memorial Cup
tournament three consecutive years. His final season in 1966 with the Oil Kings saw the team win the Memorial Cup, led by Hamilton's remarkable 82 points in 55 regular season and playoff games, drawing frequent comparisons with his junior contemporary Bobby Orr
of the Oshawa Generals
.
While he played a few games for the Rangers in 1966, he toiled for the next three seasons in the minors, winning all-star accolades for the Omaha Knights
of the Central Hockey League in 1967 and spending the two years thereafter with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League
. Hamilton finally cracked the Rangers' lineup in 1969, playing in 59 games, but was left unprotected for the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft
and was selected by the Buffalo Sabres
as their third choice.
However, when the World Hockey Association
began in 1972, Hamilton jumped back to the fledgling league, signing with the Alberta Oilers for their first season. Named the team's captain at the age of 26, he immediately responded with a 61 point season, his best as a pro, A superb defender and leader, he captained the Oilers for four seasons and was chosen to represent Canada in the 1974 Summit Series
against the Soviet Union. Overcoming injuries that frequently struck—and which cost him most of the 1975 season -- Hamilton remained the leader of the Oilers' defence corps for the whole of the WHA's history.
For the WHA all-time, he is 13th in games played, 15th in assists, 40th in points and 38th in penalty minutes. He was also the franchise leader for the WHA Oilers in games, assists and points, and second in penalty minutes.
Hamilton remains active with the Oiler alumni and community affairs in the Edmonton area.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
, most notably with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
of the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
. He also played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
Playing career
Signed by the New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
as a teenager, Hamilton spent his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings
Edmonton Oil Kings
This article refers to the original Oil Kings franchises that existed until 1978. For the current team that began play in 2007, see Edmonton Oil Kings...
. He met with great success in juniors, being one of the rare players to play in the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
tournament three consecutive years. His final season in 1966 with the Oil Kings saw the team win the Memorial Cup, led by Hamilton's remarkable 82 points in 55 regular season and playoff games, drawing frequent comparisons with his junior contemporary Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
of the Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
.
While he played a few games for the Rangers in 1966, he toiled for the next three seasons in the minors, winning all-star accolades for the Omaha Knights
Omaha Knights
The Omaha Knights were a minor league professional ice hockey team from 1959 to 1975, based in Omaha, Nebraska at the Ak-Sar-Ben arena. The Knights were founded in 1959 as members of the International Hockey League...
of the Central Hockey League in 1967 and spending the two years thereafter with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. Hamilton finally cracked the Rangers' lineup in 1969, playing in 59 games, but was left unprotected for the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft
1970 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1970 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 9, 1970. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two expansion teams for the 1970–71 season, the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks.-Draft results:-Trades:...
and was selected by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
as their third choice.
However, when the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
began in 1972, Hamilton jumped back to the fledgling league, signing with the Alberta Oilers for their first season. Named the team's captain at the age of 26, he immediately responded with a 61 point season, his best as a pro, A superb defender and leader, he captained the Oilers for four seasons and was chosen to represent Canada in the 1974 Summit Series
1974 Summit Series
The 1974 Summit Series was the second of two competitions between Soviet and Canadian professional ice hockey players. Canada was represented by World Hockey Association players instead of National Hockey League players, as it had been in the 1972 Summit Series. The Soviet team won the series 4-1-3...
against the Soviet Union. Overcoming injuries that frequently struck—and which cost him most of the 1975 season -- Hamilton remained the leader of the Oilers' defence corps for the whole of the WHA's history.
Retirement
Hamilton finished his career back in the NHL, playing 31 games with the Edmonton Oilers in 1979–80; however, beset by a lingering eye injury from the previous season, he retired at season's end. His number 3 jersey was the first retired by the franchise.For the WHA all-time, he is 13th in games played, 15th in assists, 40th in points and 38th in penalty minutes. He was also the franchise leader for the WHA Oilers in games, assists and points, and second in penalty minutes.
Hamilton remains active with the Oiler alumni and community affairs in the Edmonton area.
Awards and achievements
- Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
Championship (1966) - CPHL Second All-Star Team (1967)
- WHAWorld Hockey AssociationThe World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
Second All-Star Team (1974) - Member of Team Canada in the 1974 Summit Series1974 Summit SeriesThe 1974 Summit Series was the second of two competitions between Soviet and Canadian professional ice hockey players. Canada was represented by World Hockey Association players instead of National Hockey League players, as it had been in the 1972 Summit Series. The Soviet team won the series 4-1-3...
- WHAWorld Hockey AssociationThe World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
First All-Star Team (1978) - “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of FameManitoba Hockey Hall of FameThe Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
+/- | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
| 1964–65 | St. Paul Rangers St. Paul Rangers The St. Paul Rangers were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They were one of the original five teams of the Central Professional Hockey League. They were an affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers.... |
CPHL | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1965–66 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1966–67 | Omaha Knights Omaha Knights The Omaha Knights were a minor league professional ice hockey team from 1959 to 1975, based in Omaha, Nebraska at the Ak-Sar-Ben arena. The Knights were founded in 1959 as members of the International Hockey League... |
CPHL | 68 | 11 | 25 | 36 | — | 96 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | — | 16 | ||
| 1967–68 | New York Rangers | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1967–68 | Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
72 | 9 | 21 | 30 | — | 82 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | — | 23 | ||
| 1968–69 | New York Rangers | NHL | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | ||
| 1968–69 | Buffalo Bisons | AHL | 41 | 4 | 14 | 18 | — | 61 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | — | 12 | ||
| 1969–70 | New York Rangers | NHL | 59 | 0 | 5 | 5 | — | 54 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | ||
| 1970–71 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 69 | 2 | 28 | 30 | — | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1971–72 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 4 | 30 | 34 | — | 105 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Alberta Oilers | WHA World Hockey Association The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926... |
78 | 11 | 50 | 61 | — | 124 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | ||
| 1973–74 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
WHA | 78 | 14 | 45 | 59 | — | 104 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 15 | ||
| 1974–75 | Edmonton Oilers | WHA | 25 | 1 | 13 | 14 | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1975–76 | Edmonton Oilers | WHA | 54 | 2 | 32 | 34 | — | 78 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | ||
| 1976–77 | Edmonton Oilers | WHA | 81 | 8 | 37 | 45 | — | 60 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | ||
| 1977–78 | Edmonton Oilers | WHA | 59 | 11 | 43 | 54 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Edmonton Oilers | WHA | 80 | 6 | 38 | 44 | 38 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 9 | — | 4 | |||
| 1979–80 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 31 | 4 | 15 | 19 | ||||||||||
| 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1979–80 | Houston Apollos Houston Apollos The Houston Apollos were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Houston, Texas. They played in the Central Hockey League from 1965 to 1969, and then from 1979 to 1981.... |
CHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| WHA totals | 455 | 53 | 258 | 311 | +22 | 492 | 27 | 5 | 11 | 16 | — | 31 | ||||
| NHL totals | 257 | 10 | 78 | 88 | -2 | 258 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | ||||