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| The Stanley Cup Champion Bruins kept the good times rolling Friday night by selecting 18-year-old phenom defenseman Dougie Hamilton with the 9th overall pick in the NHL Draft. |
Less than two weeks removed from winning their first Stanley Cup Championship in 39 years, the Black and Gold continued to rake in the good fortune Friday night by selecting highly-touted defenseman Dougie Hamilton with the 9th overall pick in the NHL Draft.
Leading up to the Draft, many scouts and hockey analysts alike had the towering, immensely gifted Hamilton slotted two to five picks earlier. Some were even talking about him going as early as 3rd overall.
So when Hamilton was still on the board with the Bruins set to make the 9th overall pick, GM Peter Chiarelli and Co. pounced on the opportunity to bring a possible franchise defenseman into the fold.
So when Hamilton was still on the board with the Bruins set to make the 9th overall pick, GM Peter Chiarelli and Co. pounced on the opportunity to bring a possible franchise defenseman into the fold.
"You always hear this, but we didn't think he'd be there," admitted Chiarelli after selecting Hamilton. "We were really happy he was there."
Simply put, the Bruins may have hit a home run.
"Tremendous skater," added Chiarelli. "Good offensive instincts. Good stick. He's a very smart player on the ice. Good range. Has a good physical side to his game."
Sound like the type of player you wouldn't mind seeing alongside Zdeno Chara for years to come?
At 6'4'', 193 lbs, Hamilton possesses the ideal body-type for an elite NHL defenseman. And, at just 18-years-old, he may very well get bigger.
"I've grown a lot in the last couple years," explained Hamilton in a recent interview. "I haven't really filled into my body yet."
Hamilton's resume is very impressive. After posting just 3 goals and 13 assists in 64 games for Niagara in his first year in the Ontario Hockey League, Hamilton improved in leaps and bounds in 2010-11, totaling 12 goals and 46 assists in 67 games.
"I think I'm a big, complete defenseman," said Hamilton. "I can skate well, am pretty physical, make good passes, and contribute offensively as well."
The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau had Hamilton ranked as the #4 North American skater.
"He moves the puck well and makes good outlet passes," said Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting. "He does make good decisions with the puck, moves it well out of his zone. He's a big guy, he'll take the body... He uses his size well. He can muscle people off the puck."
With the drafting of Hamilton, the Phil Kessel trade to Toronto is now complete. In exchange for the former sniper, Boston netted Tyler Seguin, highly touted 2010 second round pick Jared Knight and now Hamilton.
Not a bad end result for a goal scorer who played no defense.
"I'm pleased with it and you know when you make a deal like that for an established player and you trade a young established player, both sides have to know what they want," added Chiarelli. "We had an idea we were going to get some good picks for a variety of reasons and we did. They got a really good player who can score 40 goals in the league."
In the second round of the Draft, the Bruins selected 17-year-old forward Alexander Khokhlachev with the 40th overall pick.
"The Stanley Cup champs drafted me," said Khokhlachev. "I'm so happy right now. Not many words. Just feeling great."
A native of Moscow, Russia, Khokhlachev tallied 34 goals and 42 assists in 67 games for Windsor of the OHL.
"He'll take a hit to make a play and he's not at all afraid," said Edwards of Khokhlachev. "I've seen him get hit hard a few times and he just bounces right back into the play. His energy level is always there, and he's always working hard. Down the stretch for Windsor, he's player well. He's a skilled forward."
With Hamilton and Khokhlachev in the fold, the Bruins' future looks primed for a continued reign of success, especially with the team in a comfortable salary cap situation for the upcoming year. In addition, nearly all contributing members of the Stanley Cup winning team are set to return, with the exception of Mark Recchi (retired) and possibly Michael Ryder and Tomas Kaberle (unrestricted free agents).
Playoff phenom Brad Marchand is a restricted free agent, but figures to be back in Boston as management looks poised to lock him up with a long-term, hefty contract.
Playoff phenom Brad Marchand is a restricted free agent, but figures to be back in Boston as management looks poised to lock him up with a long-term, hefty contract.
Enjoy it, Bruins fans.
You waited 39 years to see a Stanley Cup hoisted in the Hub, and now, thanks to the keen management eye of Chiarelli and Cam Neely, it looks like the party is just getting started.
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