Reese Hamilton
2024-25 Staff: Regina Pats (WHL)Date of Beginning: Mar 26, 2007 Place of Beginning: Whitewood, SaskatchewanHt: 6-foot-1 Wt: 170 poundsShoots: Left Place: DefensemanNHL Draft Eligibility: 2025 first-year eligible
Rankings
Reese Hamilton is a formidable left-shot defender from Whitewood, Saskatchewan, who has caught some eyes across the NHL due to his spectacular skating and stickhandling capability. He doesn’t have something that makes him stand out as a possible future famous person, however he has a formidable basis that may be constructed upon if he continues to progress positively on the Western Hockey League (WHL) degree.
Hamilton has confronted criticism this season for his lack of consistency, with some even calling him lazy when issues aren’t going his approach on the ice. He was concerned in an enormous commerce between the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats, which might have affected his confidence heading to a brand new workforce, however his sport appeared to take a step again in comparison with what it was within the 2023-24 season. He nonetheless confirmed indicators of the potential shutdown defender that followers appeared to like, however total, he didn’t have a fantastic marketing campaign.
By means of 20 video games with the Hitmen this season, he scored one purpose and added two assists for 3 factors earlier than being traded to the Pats. With the Pats, he scored three objectives and added eight assists for 11 factors by means of 39 video games, popping out to 14 factors by means of 59 video games. Within the 2023-24 marketing campaign, he had 31 factors by means of 42 video games.
His drop-off in offensive manufacturing appears to have harm his draft inventory, as he has fallen down many draft boards heading towards the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft. There may be nonetheless an opportunity a workforce takes an opportunity on him within the center rounds to see if he continues to develop and may discover that confidence once more, nevertheless it’s extra seemingly he doesn’t hear his title known as for some time.
Different THW Draft Profiles
Reese Hamilton – NHL Draft Projection
Hamilton goes to be an attention-grabbing participant on the upcoming draft. He’s a dangerous choice for certain, however he might be somebody that groups are prepared to take an opportunity on. I wouldn’t say it’s a assure he will get picked, nevertheless it’s secure to say he’ll in all probability hear his title known as within the center to late rounds of the draft, and I might be shocked if he isn’t chosen. I might guess he goes someplace between a hundred and twentieth and a hundred and fifty fifth total.
Quotables
“From his dealing with and skating, to his mind and positioning, his environment friendly sport is robust throughout the board, although missing a standout ability and a willingness to create for himself.” – DobberProspects
Strengths
Skating capability
Defensive IQ
Puck dealing with
Underneath Development – Enhancements to Make
Offensive Consistency
Willingness to shoot
Constant effort
NHL Potential
As I’ve already talked about a number of occasions, Hamilton can be a dangerous choice. In an ideal world, he goes again to the WHL as a late-round choose and finds his confidence once more. If he can try this, there isn’t a world the place he can’t compete for a bottom-pairing job within the NHL in about 4 seasons. At worst, he turns into a bottom-pairing defender on the American Hockey League (AHL) degree and performs the vast majority of his profession there.
Danger – Reward Evaluation
Danger – 5/5, Reward 3.75/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 8/10, Protection – 7/10
Awards/Achievements
Hamilton has racked up the awards. Within the 2021-22 season, he had probably the most factors from a defender within the Canadian Sports activities Faculty Hockey League (CSSHL) U15 division and was additionally named CSSHL U15 High Defenseman. Within the 2023-24 season, he gained a bronze medal on the U18 World Junior Championship. This season, he gained the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal.
Movies
