Hamilton was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He grew up playing for the Toronto Marlboros and attended Crestwood Preparatory College until the 2008 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft, when he was selected in the first round by the Niagara IceDogs, with their first ever draft pick. [1] Hamilton moved to St. Catharines, Ontario, where he played four seasons for the IceDogs - three of which with his brother. During this time, Hamilton graduated from Governor Simcoe Secondary School with a 99% average (the highest average in the Niagara region), won the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award, and attended Brock University part-time. He also played internationally for Canada at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships and at the 2010 Under 18 World Championships, and for Ontario at the 2008 World Under 17 Hockey Championships.
Hamilton was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round (129th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first NHL game with the Sharks on October 21, 2013. Hamilton scored his first NHL goal on March 19, 2015, for the Colorado Avalanche. Hamilton played parts of three seasons with his brother for the Calgary Flames. On March 26, 2016, the Hamilton brothers became the first brothers in Flames' history to record a point on the same goal.
Hamilton represented Team Ontario at the 2008 World Under 17 Hockey Championships in Port Alberni, British Columbia, where they won the gold medal. He then represented Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships in Minsk, Belarus. [2] Hamilton was named one of the three Top Players of the Tournament for the Canadian Team.[3]
