A year ago Rob Hamilton was one of a large number of young defensemen in minor pro hockey, dreaming of National Hockey League stardom. After a whirlwind season that saw him become a big part of the Stockton Heat blueline, his dream is a little bit closer.
Originally from Calgary, the 25-year-old Hamilton is a left shot defender who came to pro hockey via the scenic route. He spent two seasons with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Okotoks Oilers, followed by a full four seasons in college with the NCAA’s Vermont Catamounts.
Following the competition of his college eligibility, he didn’t get any nibbles from American Hockey League clubs and instead caught on with the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs at the end of the 2016-17 season and began to grind.