Hamilton prefers to keep i ts imple
Not one enamoured with statistics, Flames d-man to play 400th NHL game
The milestones are notable, worth acknowledging and appreciating.
But for Dougie Hamilton, Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers — No. 400 in his sixseason NHL career — has barely registered as a blip on his radar.
“No, I don’t really care,” the sixfoot-six, 210-pound defender said, after being asked if the accomplishment was meaningful. “It’s just another game for me.” The 24-year-old is grateful for every step of the way including three seasons and 178 games with the Boston Bruins and, after being traded to the Calgary Flames at the 2015 NHL draft, another 221 games in this city.
Drafted ninth overall in the 2011 NHL draft by Boston, Hamilton has been playing in the NHL fulltime since he was 19, so forgive him if the time has flown by.
But he’s reached the point where he is an integral part of Calgary’s defence corps and has found some consistency in his game. The adjustment period is far behind him and he indicates he’s more focused on the day-in, day-out consistency required to play top minutes. No. 400 is simply a bonus. “I think I’m lucky to be here and play,” said Hamilton, who has 57 goals and 150 assists in 399 NHL games. “I don’t really think of how much you’re going to play. I never dreamt of playing 1,000 games. You just try to do your best and become your best. That’s the biggest thing I want to do is be the best I can be and never really set goals for myself or how many games I wanted to play.
“I just wanted to play my best.” The slick, offensive-minded defenceman has added an element to the Flames’ scoring punch and also to their power play, lining up on the second unit in a formation that has him playing more like a forward than a blueliner. Hamilton is able to get shots on net easily, but also is comfortable joining the rush and jumping into the play.
He had a power play goal and an assist in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.
He also had six shots on goal against the Boston Bruins, five against the New York Islanders and six against the New York Rangers.
“It’s a little different for me being in that spot and just trying to work with (coach) Dave (Cameron) and do a lot of video and see what’s there and trying to figure it out,” he said.
“You need bounces. We just have to keep doing the same things we’ve been doing and believing in it and hope the results come.”
Playing with the steady captain Mark Giordano on the team’s top pairing has, of course, made a difference.
“We have good chemistry now, obviously,” he said. “We keep it simple and have similar mindsets. Usually I know what he’s thinking and I hope he knows what I’m doing.
“He’s so good at everything so that helps.”