Force looks to the future with Hamilton pick
The Fargo Force used their 16th round draft pick to select Miami (OH) commit Trevor Hamilton. Hamilton is committed to the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor next season. The Force took him because he is a 2014 college commitment, so he would have a year of junior hockey still left after his two year stint with the USNTDP.
That’s just a small part of the Trevor Hamilton story. He committed to Miami (OH) at a very young age and he will represent his country for two years prior to his freshman year of college. Hamilton has a great future, and the Force has a great opportunity.
“When he gets through the two years in the program, he’ll have another year of junior hockey,” Fargo’s Assistant Coach/Director of Player Personnel Jesse Davis said. “Our hope is that he will come here and play with us.”
Hamilton will likely make stops in Ann Arbor and Fargo on his way to Miami, the college program he has always wanted to play for.
“Miami is a school that I began to follow eight years ago when Alec Martinez and Justin Mercier, whom my father coached, went there,” Hamilton said. “I attended a few of their away games and once I finally had a chance to visit the campus and see the stadium, I knew it was where I wanted to play.
“I had went on eight other unofficial visits prior to Miami with my family or team. I did my homework and know I made the right decision for me.”
Davis describes Hamilton as a very solid defenseman. He is the type of player that is willing to play a physical game, protect his own end of the rink, and move the puck. Those are just some of the characteristics that caught the attention of the staff in Ann Arbor.
Even so, Hamilton wasn’t always on the short list of defensemen that they were looking at.
“Coming from a hockey family I was well schooled on the NTDP,” Hamilton said. “To have a chance to play for your country, no matter at what age is something special.
“Starting last season, I was told I was not on their list of defensemen they were considering. My team went on to win every tournament we entered including a State and National Championship. Thanks to all the attention we drew to ourselves, I was able to impress the right people on the right nights”
The Fargo Force is hoping that Hamilton will spend his final year of junior hockey in Fargo. He will have two years of junior hockey seasoning in the same league the Force play in. Not only will those years prep him for his time at Miami, it will make him a big time pick up for Fargo in a couple of years.
“We’re looking at our ‘95 list, which we drafted, we’re pretty sure one, maybe two of those guys are going to make our hockey team,” Davis said. “So, we selected Trevor to backfill that ’95 list. This was a draft pick for down the road and we are excited to have him.”
When Hamilton was asked of his future plans, he said he expects to play in Fargo before he heads off to Miami.
“Today my commitment to Miami is for 2014,” Hamilton said. “So yes it looks like I have a year to play in the USHL prior to Miami.”
“I have heard nothing but great things about Fargo, so I do look forward to my time in Fargo. I am hoping Fargo is on our schedule this season so I can get a chance to see the stadium.”
A lot can happen in two years, but one thing is for certain: Hamilton is a talented hockey player and he will make all the teams he plays for better.
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By: Tim How
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