Almost exactly twelve years after signing an entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild, forward Ryan Hamilton officially retired from playing hockey.

Hamilton would not receive the opportunity to suit up with Minnesota and spent two and a half seasons with the sadly defunct Houston Aeros before being traded to Toronto in January of 2009.

The Oshawa native became something of a cult hero amongst Toronto Marlies fans and would be the team’s captain for the latter two of his four seasons with the organisation.

Somewhat of an anomaly in the AHL, Hamilton recorded more goals than assists during his career in the minors (197-179-376) and he remains the Marlies all-time highest scorer with 94 goals.
An AHL All-Star in 2012 and 2013, Hamilton led Toronto to a first Calder Cup final in 2012, which ultimately ended in defeat at the hands of the Norfolk Admirals

A first NHL opportunity arrived with the Leafs, though the left-handed shot would only end up playing twelve regular season games, and a further two in the post-season. He was unable to light the lamp in fourth line role however and faded out of contention.

A free agent in 2013, it was time for Toronto and Hamilton to part company and Edmonton offered the free agent a two year contract.
During his first two seasons within the Oilers organisation another shot at the NHL presented itself and this time he was able to hit the net. His overall time in the top tier wasn’t much more than he received while in Toronto and the NHL dream would pass him by with the expiration of his contract.

No deal was forthcoming after his two years were up but with Edmonton moving their affiliate from Oklahoma to Bakersfield, the latterly named Condors signed Hamilton to an AHL deal and he would be handed the captaincy, a role he held during his three seasons with the club.

Unfortunately injuries were beginning to play a part in his career again and would ultimately cut it short at the age of 33.
After suffering with mono and a broken sternum late in his teens, Hamilton would hurt his knee during his debut for Edmonton and failed to play fifty games in either the 2016-17 or 2017-18 season with Bakersfield.

Sadly the left winger’s career came to an abrupt halt on February, 15, 2018.
A broken leg suffered in a midweek game against San Diego was the final straw but it’s not the last we’ll see of Bakersfield’s Captain in a rink.

Hamilton remains in hockey after being appointed as a scout with the San Jose Sharks, alongside new hires JP Cote and Neil McKenney, and his focus will be on the West.

An untimely end for one of hockey’s truly nice guys and a potent goal scorer during his prime, I wish Ryan Hamilton all the best with his new venture in the sport.