Dougie Hamilton

BIOGRAPHY

Dougie Hamilton was born June 17, 1993 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is a defenseman in the National Hockey League.

Hamilton was ranked fourth by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for North American skaters for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Hamilton was drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins. On December 8, 2011, Hamilton signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins. On January 19, 2013, Hamilton made his NHL debut for the Bruins in a 3–1 victory against the New York Rangers, and two games later, on January 23, Hamilton scored his first NHL point for an assist in an overtime loss against the Rangers in Madison Square Garden. On February 15, Hamilton scored his first career NHL goal against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres. Hamilton made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on May 3. On April 25, Hamilton was named the 44th Annual NESN 7th Player recipient, an award given to the Bruin who most exceeded all expectations that season, as voted by the team's fans.

On June 26, 2015, during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, as an impending restricted free agent on July 1 and with the Bruins facing salary cap constraints, Hamilton was traded to the Calgary Flames. Four days later, on June 30, Hamilton signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Flames worth $5.75 million annually. During the 2016–17 season, Hamilton was paired with Mark Giordano, prompting greater defensive play in both players. The pairing helped the Flames make the playoffs for the second time in three years. The playoffs were short-lived for the Flames, who lost to the Anaheim Ducks in four games. On February 17, 2018, Hamilton played in his 400th NHL game during which he recorded his first NHL hat-trick.

On June 23, 2018, Hamilton was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. After a respectable first season with Carolina, Hamilton began the 2019–20 season playing some of the best hockey of his career before his regular season was cut short when he broke his fibula on January 16, 2020. He finished the regular season scoring 40 points in 47 games played. 

After three productive seasons with the Hurricanes, Hamilton left the club as a free agent and on July 28, 2021, he was signed to a lucrative seven-year, $63 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.