Photo courtesy of Randy Feere / Medicine Hat Tigers

By Scott Roblin

Looking Back

Tigers captain Hamblin reflects on five historic years in Medicine Hat

Mar 31, 2020 | 6:55 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Few players have embodied the Medicine Hat Tigers like James Hamblin.

The face of the franchise over the past two seasons, Hamblin is looking back on a memorable five seasons rising through the ranks to become one of the most feared scorers in the WHL.

Speaking from his home in Edmonton, Hamblin observed a league-wide protocol that limited the discussion of how the WHL season ended due to COVID-19.

However, the 20-year-old told CHAT Sports that he is proud of his time in Tigers stripes.

“Obviously it’s a tough way to end it, but I can look back and say that I’m proud of what I’ve done here,” said Hamblin. “We talk a lot about trying to leave the place better than when you found it. I think I can look back and say that I was able to accomplish that.”

DEVELOPING

Medicine Hat women's shelter pitches council on supporting critical construction project

10h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Health foundation's 'Toybox Tuesday' drive aims to bring comfort to Medicine Hat's pediatric ward

14h ago

CITY HALL

'Taylor Drift', 'Darth Blader' and 'Blizzard Wizard' to hit Medicine Hat streets

18h ago

Hamblin leaves Medicine Hat as one of the longest-serving players in Tigers history, sitting tied for fifth alongside Mike Lay in career games played with 324 contests under his belt.

A mark of consistency that Hamblin never set out to do, but takes pride in nonetheless.

“I don’t think you really think much of that when you first get into the league,” said Hamblin. “But, to be able to look back now and see those accomplishments it’s awesome and something I should be really proud of.”

Hamblin entered the Tigers fold in 2014 as the 17^th overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft after scoring 62 points in 31 games with his hometown SSAC Bantam AAA Lions in Edmonton.

His rookie season at the junior level didn’t go quite to plan as Hamblin struggled to find his offensive footing with just three points in 54, before finding his stride in his sophomore campaign.

Boosting those numbers to 23 goals and 47 points in his second season with the Tigers, Hamblin said he had a number of vets take him under their wing.

“One was Mark Rassell and another one was Zach Fischer,” he said. “They were awfully nice to me and showed me the ropes when I was really young. I also had a lot of good guys in [Max] Gerlach and [Caleb] Fantillo, guys that came in at the same time as me and we were able to bond.”

Hamblin first cracked the 60-point plateau in 2017-18 with a 64-point campaign, which was followed up by a 77-point season in 2018-19.

His best offensive output came in his final season of junior hockey, with the centreman placing third in WHL scoring with 36 goals and 92 points in a shortened 63-game campaign.

According to Hamblin, a large share of that credit belongs to his coach of four seasons Shaun Clouston and Willie Desjardins’ guidance over the past 12 months.

“He gave me a little bit more opportunity every year which was awesome,” said Hamblin. “I think he just showed me what I can be. Then Willie coming in, I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s really personable and he cares a lot, he was really great in just letting me play my game. I think that really led to the offensive boom.”

Adversity has followed Hamblin throughout his time with the Tigers, both on and off the ice.

Tragedy struck the Hamblin family in 2017 when James lost his mother Gina to cancer just as his hockey career began to take off.

It was the support of teammates, coaches, and the Medicine Hat community however that allowed the young leader to begin the healing process.

“To have all the boys come up for my [mom’s] funeral… you can’t even put words into it,” said Hamblin. “Just to have the support from the fans and the community, it was something that I’ll never forget. My family and I are just so thankful for that.”

That leadership was evident throughout Hamblin’s time in Medicine Hat, so much so that he was named the franchise’s first 19-year-old captain since Hunter Shinkaruk in 2012.

Hamblin stretched that captaincy into a two-year gig, joining select company in Tigers history to wear a ‘C’ on their chest for multiple seasons.

“To say that I got to do that for two years with such a historic and amazing franchise, it’s crazy,” said Hamblin. “It’s hard to even think that I was able to do that.

Attending NHL rookie camps with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in recent years, it’s safe to say Hamblin remains on the radars of professional teams following his graduation from the junior level.

There’s no word yet on where Hamblin’s next landing spot will be, but he’s determined to continue his hockey career past Medicine Hat.

“There are contract talks and hopefully something happens soon here,” said Hamblin. “I’m just staying optimistic and I guess we’ll hold out to see what happens.”

Hamblin leaves the WHL with 115 goals, 169 assists and 284 career points all with the Tigers, placing himself top-20 in franchise history in the latter two categories.

Establishing himself among one of the greats in Tigers history, Hamblin wore his heart on his sleeve during his five-seasons and in turn won over the hearts of the local hockey community.

“To the fans and to the City of Medicine Hat, you guys all really opened your hearts to me and embraced me,” said Hamblin. “I can’t be more thankful for that.”