He's making change on fly
Hamill adjusting to Bruins' camp
WILMINGTON - Zach Hamill was the Bruins' first-round pick, eighth overall, in the 2007 NHL draft, the leading scorer in the Western Hockey League in 2006-07 while playing for a defensive-minded coach, and a running mate of Milan Lucic on Canada's roster for last summer's Canada/Russia Super Series.
So, when a player once considered one of North America's brightest 19-year-olds wasn't included on Team Canada's roster for the 2008 World Junior Championship, the omission stung a stud to whom nearly all hockey doors had swung wide open.
"Zach would probably admit that he was extremely disappointed not to be part of world juniors," said Don Sweeney, the Bruins' director of hockey operations and player development. "But he used that as motivation. I spoke to him about that."
That exclusion was only one disappointment in a less-than-expected year in juniors for Hamill. Under ex-NHL coach Kevin Constantine and playing on a team that included 2007-08 NHL Rookie of the Year candidate Peter Mueller, Hamill turned a 93-point breakout into a first-round selection June 23, 2007.
Last fall, Hamill participated in his first pro training camp but did not look comfortable among the Boston big boys. Upon his return to his junior club, Hamill put up a line of 26-49 -75 for Everett in 2007-08, 18 points fewer than he recorded the year before, and the Silvertips were swept in the first round of the WHL playoffs - not exactly a welcome dip in the development curve of a No. 8 pick.
"I think he would describe his year - and we would probably agree with it - as a little more up and down than it was the previous year, where he kept it there and led the entire league in scoring," Sweeney said. "If his production wasn't quite where it was the year before, it's not necessarily an indication that he had an off year. It was just a different dynamic with his team."
Any concerns have been partly quelled during this week's development camp at Ristuccia Arena, where Hamill has arrived with greater presence. During yesterday's scrimmage, Hamill skated with drive and purpose, showing his hockey sense - an efficient backhand pass in tight quarters here, a slight move along the wall to be in better puck position there - while competing at a high level. The 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound Hamill, a clever and slippery center in the mold of David Krejci, is penciled in to be a No. 1 or No. 2 NHL center someday, a projection that doesn't seem far off considering his camp showing so far.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pretty comfortable," Hamill said. "I can come in here and be comfortable as a leader, coming here and knowing three-quarters of the guys. It's helped me a lot. Last year, I came in really not knowing one guy."
This week, Hamill has been playing alongside forward Jordan Knackstedt, defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk, defenseman Jeff Penner, and goalie Kevin Regan, who all signed amateur tryout agreements at the end of 2007-08 and joined Providence for its stretch run.
Hamill appeared in seven regular-season games for Providence, chipping in with five assists. Hamill saw action in nine playoff games, getting regular shifts with Petteri Nokelainen, and skated on the No. 1 power-play unit, recording one goal and three assists.
Providence was upset in the second round by Portland, sending Hamill home to British Columbia earlier than expected. It was an experience, however, that has lasted far longer than Providence's playoff run. Hamill learned how hard players competed for wins and for their jobs. He saw the work he needed to do to get stronger and become a more powerful skater while staying lean.
Throughout his career, Hamill has been a skilled player who could slow the game to his preferred pace, then use his hockey sense to make plays. But in pro hockey, there are few actions performed at less than flat-out speed.
"Going to Providence at the end of the year was one of the biggest things of my hockey career so far," said Hamill, who spent part of his stay rooming with captain Nate Thompson. "Going into there, it was just about learning everything, from living by myself to knowing what it takes to be a professional hockey player. The guys took me in great. The coaching staff and players were unbelievable to me, like I'd been there all year. Going in there was probably one of the best experiences of my hockey career and I have a lot of people to thank for that."
The Bruins' deepest position is center, where Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron, and Krejci are expected to fill the top three spots this season. Hamill likely will spend his first pro season in Providence, where he can get stronger and adjust to a full year of the AHL. If Hamill continues on his development curve, he could challenge for big league duty in 2009-10, the final season of Savard's four-year contract.
Hamill, however, isn't thinking of Providence just yet. He references Chicago's Patrick Kane and Edmonton's Sam Gagner, who were selected in the same draft and jumped from juniors to the NHL last season. Kane won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie and Gagner scored 49 points in 79 games.
"My goal coming to camp is making the Boston Bruins," Hamill said. "Realistically for myself, I think it's possible. You look at the NHL last year and who succeeded, and it's not just the big guys and strong guys. Hockey intelligence, if I'm not the best, maybe I'm right up to par with them. Hopefully, I can come to camp and look to make the hockey team."
Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. 