Larger Than Life
As the top goal scorer the AHL, Jeff Hamilton is playing bigger than his size while guiding his team to the best record in the league.

By Dan Hickling
MinorLeagueNews.com

1.15.04 - Bridgeport, Conn. – Lately, when he steps on the ice, Jeff Hamilton seems like he's eight feet tall.

In actuality, Hamilton is listed on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' roster at 5 foot 10, but that would be with skates on. Or at least a few pair of thick socks.

No matter. These days, Hamilton is playing much bigger than his size, and much better than his resume.

Nearly halfway through the 2003-04 American Hockey League season, Jeff is the league's leading goal scorer (25 and counting), and is a huge reason the Sound Tigers are at the top of the AHL standings.

"Without Jeff Hamilton, we wouldn't be where we are," states Greg Cronin, Bridgeport's first year head coach, "No question about that."

Right now, any team would covet the energy and production the Dayton, Ohio native brings to Bridgeport's odd-man rush. Hamilton has racked up more than half his goals this season on the Tigers' power play.

There isn't a club in the league who wouldn't want to have the feisty right wing's finishing touch, or his knack for dishing off.

Jeff was not always this popular though.

Hamilton was undrafted and seemingly unwanted after finishing a solid career at Yale University two years ago. Thus, his expectations were snake-belly low, and so was his confidence.

"I didn't exactly have a lot of options," Jeff admitted.

Fortunately, he did have one, an offer to play in Finland. Seizing the opportunity, Hamilton grabbed his passport and took off for Helsinki to begin his pro career.

While not all American imports fully appreciate the Euro-experience, Hamilton found it to be an eye-opener, in the best of ways.

"I took to it well," he said. "They play in bigger rinks over there, which helped my skating. It's all skill over there. I think it was a good leap for me. It was a good stepping stone out of college before the AHL."

Once back Stateside, Hamilton landed a free agent contract with the New York Islanders, and was shipped off to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

He spent the 2003-03 season with the Sound Tigers, netting a respectable 22 goals and 16 assists.

"Last year I was a rookie, and I paid my dues," he said. "The coach (Steve Stirling, now head coach of the Islanders) made me aware of that. I was on and off of lines, and in and out of the lineup.

Now more seasoned, Hamilton is in the throes of a breakout campaign.

As of 1/4/04, Hamilton tops the league in goals, points, shots on goal, game-winning goals, power play goals, and ranks near the top in plus/minus.

Still, you won't catch him thinking about any scoring titles.

"You can't get caught up in all of the stats," he said. "Every game's a clean slate. I've got no points, as far as I'm concerned."

The most important points that Hamilton has tallied may be those that he has scored with Cronin. The coach is pleased with Jeff's willingness to become a multi-dimensional player who is responsible in all three zones, not just one.

"You can't have just a one-dimensional game," said Cronin. "I think what he's realized is that if he puts himself in good position defensively, he'll get the puck. It's one of the hardest things to convince offensive players, because generally their energy is challenged into just one direction."

"If you don't play defense," Cronin believes, "you don't get quality ice time at critical moments."

Unfortunately for Bridgeport, they will be forced to play those critical moments without Hamilton for the immediate future.

Jeff will be out of the lineup for about a month after suffering an eye injury on Jan 3.

In a 2-1 home loss to Norfolk, the Sound Tigers went on a third period major power play at the 19:18 mark when Admirals Defenseman Marty Wilford high-sticked Jeff Hamilton.

Hamilton suffered blunt force trauma to the eye and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, pending a re-evaluation by the Islander's doctors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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