Saturday, June 26, 2010

Oilers at 48: Curtis Hamilton



















  • ISS: 60
  • Bob McKenzie: 57
  • LW. 6.02, 211.

In a season shortened by injury, Hamilton played just 26 games for the Saskatoon Blades, but managed to record 16 points (7-9--16) and shake off breaking his collarbone (twice) as well as separating his shoulder. He has since been cleared to play and will take part in Canada’s World Junior evaluation camp this summer.

  • He is the son of Bruce Hamilton, a former Saskatoon Blades forward (1974-77) and current owner and general manager of the Kelowna Rockets – his father was selected by St. Louis Blues 81st overall in 1977.
  • Hamilton was drafted in the second round (36th overall) in the 2006 Bantam WHL Draft and was a member of Team Canada at the 2009 Under-18 World Championships.
  • Saskatoon Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky: "Hamilton is a good skating winger with a powerful skating stride; good two-way player who is smart at both ends of the ice; takes puck to the net and is learning to use his size and strength more; has been out for majority of the season with a broken collarbone.”
  • Scouting report: Has flown somewhat under the radar this season, especially after missing substantial time with injuries, including a broken collarbone. He’s a big forward who moves well and projects to be an effective third line winger who can compete hard and bring a physical element to his team.
  • Bruins 2010 Draft Watch: Curtis Hamilton of the Saskatoon Blades suffered a nightmare, injury-plagued season with two collarbone breaks, the second of which ended his season just after the new year. Considered a wide-bodied winger with solid skills (OK skater, good shot, has a nose for the net) if not a high-end package of hockey tools, Hamilton is one of those guys who will drop because he simply didn't play enough in his draft season, but could end up being much better than a lot of the players who will be picked before him. If he's there early in the fourth round when Boston's pick (via Carolina in the Aaron Ward trade) comes around he'd be hard to pass up, because he fits the mold of what the B's are trying to do in terms of adding size, skill and scoring to the wings. He scored 20 goals in 58 games in 08-09, but only seven tallies in 26 contests this year, so Hamilton does not come without risk, and is why he will fall on draft day.
  • Steve Tambellini: "A dependable 2-way player, someone a coach can trust. He's a big man."
  • Stu MacGregor: "An extremely smart player, a great two way player. Strong, has good size, works hard along the boards. Very strong on the puck, has good vision, very good penalty killer. A guy who plays hard and smart.
  • ISS: Well rounded player who can provide offense and raise the intensity level when needed. Hamilton has a very good technical package and understands the game very well. A strong and aggressive forechecker who can really fire the puck, Hamilton struggled with some
    bad luck and injuries this year which really affected his production. Hamilton is honest and hard working with the ability to play in all situations and against all types of players. He is hard on the puck and rarely backs down from battles for pucks or space and isn’t afraid to hold his ground after the whistle. Hamilton is very good at drawing defenders and then getting the puck to the net and then driving
    hard to the net on his own for rebounds or to create space for his teammates.

30 comments:

  1. i like this pick, big talented guy, just what we need some size.

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  2. I just woke up and loaded your blog and saw this and it's made my day. He's a hell of a player.

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  3. I really like this pick. Obviously the risk comes from injury, but there's huge upside.

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  4. I can't remember what the prognosis was for other CM's but I like that this guy sounds like he can play two ways.

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  5. four players drafted, 3 will be in the WHL next year. Trying to boost Oil Kings attendance ;)

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  6. Matt McKenzie is still there and I believe the best Dman available. I like the Hamilton pick.

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  7. I'd rather have Weal than the other kid, but McKenzie is my pick.

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  8. Hamilton played on the Blades top six for the most part.

    He's not a coke machine he can score and he was a touted first rounder. Got injured in the WHL vs Russia game and missed the top prospects game due to that injury.

    Recovered from a second break just in time for the playoffs and played really well without much in the way of rust.

    A blatant hit from behind in the Brandon series seperated his shoulder and put an end to a disappointing injury filled season.

    For me it's just cool to see a kid I've seen play live for three years now get drafted by the Oilers.

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  9. That kid Johns was a player EDM was interested in. Beukeboom or McKenzie VERY likely next imo.

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  10. Pulkkinen's still available. He was being rated as a top-10 pick last year.

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  11. Beukeboom, Kabanov, or MacKenzie are my list...

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  12. we've done GREAT so far at the draft! very pleased with our picks! :-D

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  13. surprised about Martindale being picked over Beuk or McKegg.

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  15. If I was going to draft a "project forward", would take the top 10 talented Russian over Martindale. Just sayin.

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  16. Loving the second round. Hope they can get Knight, Kabanov or McKenzie still...

    Riley Nash trade stings a bit, but shows the discrepency in scouting and due dilligence between MBS/Tambs and KP/Lowe. Love the deal to ship him out and bring back a D-Man. We are extremely deep at forward now with Pitlick and severely lacking on the back end.

    In McGregor I trust.

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  18. Martindale is another big C, left hand shot, 60 pts in 61 games this year.

    So, the average height of the 4 draft picks is almost 6' 3". A theme, I suspect?

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  19. Apparently Knight went right after us... ah well.

    Anyone got a good link for up to the minute draft updates/lists? I'm bouncing around google links here.

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  21. This pick could be a good pick ...he's got size but had some injury problems.the only reason he dropped is for that reason...couldn't stay healthy...

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  22. Does this young man give you a new Marc Pouliot to pull for, LT?

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  23. Mike P: He's an interesting player, but I think Pitlick will be the new Pouliot (san injury, let's hope).

    Wide range of skills is always a good thing to have on a resume.

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  24. Agreed, never hurts to be versatile.

    Let's hope the injury troubles for Oilers prospects stay away. And hell, for the main team too. :)

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