SnapShot: Ottawa Signs Centre Wacey Hamilton

(source: Eugene Erick/Double E Photography)

In continuing their rebuild plans, your Ottawa Senators have signed who they think is the best junior free agent available, Wacey Hamilton. Inking him to a three year entry level contract, the 20 year old captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League is in his fourth year of junior hockey playing as an overage. Having his best season of his junior career, Hamilton has posted 20 goals and 52 assists for 72 points in 66 games. He also has a little jam to his game as he spent a lot of time in the box with 119 penalty minutes.

Having been looked over in the last two drafts, Hamilton spent the last two years putting up campaigns of 71 and 72 points respectively and leading the Tigers as team captain. With more than ten other NHL teams pursuing Hamilton, he saw his best and quickest opportunity to the NHL with the rebuilding Sens.

Listing Philadelphia’s Mike Richards as a player he models his game after, the 6ft, 177lbs centre plays much bigger than his size and isn’t afraid to drop his mitts. With speed to burn, Hamilton plays a strong two-way game that earned him this contract. With his team gearing up for the WHL playoffs, Hamilton will find himself on the AHL Binghamton Senators roster once his team ends their playoff run.

To look for comparables on the Sens current roster, you don’t have to look much further than Zach Smith and Jesse Winchester. These two players play a strong, griddy two-way game and use their speed and physicality to be effective in the NHL. Hamilton’s potential is as a third line centre in the NHL, but he is a few year’s away from that. He’ll spend next year with the B-Sens and the rest will be up to him. This is a great signing by Sens management as they pick up a great prospect without spending a draft pick on him.

Check out this video of Hamilton talking about his newly signed contract with the Sens. Video courtesy of SensTV.