The Boston Bruins dropped a bombshell Friday, trading promising young defenseman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames for a trifecta of picks in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Hamilton spoke with the Flames’ official website shortly after the trade was announced, and it was clear the move had yet to fully sink in.
“It’s almost feels like I’m going through the draft a little bit,” said Hamilton, whom the Bruins selected ninth overall in 2011. “I’m pretty happy. It was a lot of excitement. It’s the first time I’ve ever been traded, so it’s all kind of new to me.
“I couldn’t really be happier. It’s a team I’ve been following this year with their rise and all the great players they have and the great city and fans. All of that stuff pops into my head right away, and it just makes me really happy.
“I don’t really think it changes too much, but at the same time, I’m just excited to have that new journey in my life.”
The 22-year-old said he’d already been contacted by his new captain, veteran Flames defenseman Mark Giordano.
“Giordano already called me,” Hamilton told CalgaryFlames.com, “… and I talked to him, and obviously that just shows right away how good of a captain he is and somebody that I can learn from and hopefully play with.”
Hamilton tallied 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) for the Bruins last season, and that would have ranked third among Flames blueliners behind Giordano (48) and former Bruin Dennis Wideman (56). Hamilton’s first return to Boston will come March 1, when Calgary visits TD Garden for the first and only time next season.
Thumbnail photo via Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports Images
