Red Deer Rebels captain Hamilton scores in NHL preseason debut for Avalanche
Beckett Hamilton returned to Red Deer this week after a preseason stint with the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him in the third round this summer.
Why it matters
Hamilton's strong NHL preseason showing highlights the WHL pipeline that Red Deer's junior team uses to develop future professional players.
Red Deer Rebels captain Beckett Hamilton scored his first NHL goal during his first preseason game with the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, a 8:54 mark in the second period against the Utah Mammoth at Ball Arena in Denver. The goal came off a play started by captain Gabriel Landeskog and finished by linemate Martin Necas, who fed Hamilton for a tap-in after forcing a turnover.
Hamilton, selected by Colorado in the third round of this year's NHL Draft, returned to Red Deer on Tuesday after several weeks with the Avalanche organization. He described the moment as surreal, recalling the goal horn, the crowd and speaking with family afterward, while noting he is still chasing his first regular-season NHL goal.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Hamilton's training camp performance stood out enough that he was paired with veteran skill players, including Necas, so he could measure himself against top competition. Bednar praised Hamilton's rookie camp and preseason impact, calling him a strong pick for the third round, while confirming he has been sent back to the WHL to continue developing.
Hamilton said the biggest lesson from his NHL taste was the pace of play and the discipline required at that level, adding he still needs to grow physically and mature his habits both on and off the ice.
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