B-Sens Denis Hamel Pre-Game Edition: Host Rochester Americans

Denis Hamel is in town for his induction into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame as the Senators take on the team where it all started for Denis, the Rochester Americans tonight at the Arena. More on that in a bit, as Sens look to make it five straight wins over the Amerks and their fourth win in a row overall. Rochester will miss some firepower as leading scorer Phil Varone was called up to the Buffalo Sabres earlier this week and the Senators Stephane Da Costa and Mark Stone remain up top with Ottawa. A pair of rookies starting in goal this evening as Andrew Hammond (12-7-3 2.52) will be searching for his fourth straight win for the Sens as Nathan Lieuwen (8-6-1 2.57) likely getting the nod for the Amerks.

Game Day Media Kit

(26-12-0-3) 55 pts

/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.eiDTkNPD.dpuf(8-4-0-0) 16 pts

First in East Division

VS.

(18-15-3-3) 42 pts

Tied for Second in North Division

Projected Lineup

Hoffman-Pageau-Schneider

Prince-O’Brien-Petersson

Puempel-Grant-Robinson

Cowick-Hamilton-Dziurzynski

Borowiecki-New

Sdao-Claesson

Blood-Wideman

Hammond / Greenham

Scratches

Injured Reserve: Goaltender Lawson, lower body.

Healthy: Forward Darren Kramer, Defenseman Tyler Eckford.

Notes

Hamel is the first representative from a Binghamton Senator team to be inducted and the only player to be selected this year. Denis played six seasons for the B-Sens and holds records for most goals (203), assists (189) and points (392) in 438 games played. The Alfie of Binghamton (B-Sens equivalent to Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson at the time) had a sick snap shot from his favorite spot up high in the circle where he scored many from that opposing goalies had difficulties in tracking down.

His best season was serving as the team’s Captain in 2005-’06 when he set Sens scoring record with 56 goals and adding 35 assists in 77 contests and won the AHL scoring title along with Don MacLean. Denis also holds records in power play tally’s (86), shorthanded goals (14) and game winning goals (36). Hamel left the Senators organization for one season in 2007-’08, but then returned to sign an unheard of three year minor league contract that made news throughout the hockey world as he wanted some stability after bouncing around some.

Denis was also known for his contributions to the area as in taking the time to go and visit sick children in hospitals and raising money for the Cancer Society to name a few, and was awarded the 2008 AHL Man of the Year award as a result of his giving support to the community. He also was an AHL All-Star three times including 2008 when the event was held in Binghamton.

Hamel joins B.H.H.F. member’s most notables being ex-Dusters and current Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland, ex-Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette, current assistant coach John Paddock and Binghamton Ranger Don Biggs, father of Binghamton born Tyler Biggs, who is the second highest prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization along side of Binghamton’s Jerry D’Amigo.

This is going to be one special night to be a Binghamton Senators hockey fan and I for one can’t wait for it to begin.

Players To Watch For

Rochester: Forwards Luke Adam (17g 10a 25gms) and Jamie Tardif (11g 13a 26gms), Defenseman  Chad Ruhwedel (4g 13a 34gms).

Binghamton: Forwards Cole Schneider (14g 18a 37gms) and Matt Puempel (15g 8a 41gms), Defenseman  Michael Sdao (109 PIM).

Season Results

Senators are undefeated winning the first four games out of eight scheduled. The last taken place in Rochester by a score of 3-1.

Sens Tweet of the Day

Media

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Article Pic(s)

Cover photo courtesy of Jeff Ulmer.