Former Medicine Hat Tigers captain James Hamblin (pictured) has signed his NHL entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers (Photo courtesy Bakersfield Condors / Twitter)

By Scott Roblin

Oilers Sign Hamblin

Hamblin’s tenacity lands NHL contract with home town Oilers

Mar 4, 2022 | 6:14 PM

BAKERSFIELD, CA – James Hamblin was feeling a little extra home town pride this week while also completing a childhood dream in the process.

The former Medicine Hat Tigers captain, now playing with the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors, was signed to his entry-level contract by the Edmonton Oilers and can now call himself a NHL prospect.

Hailing from the province’s capital, it’s a full circle for Hamblin who now has a road map towards cracking the big leagues.

“I look back at all those years I spent basically living at Rexall Place in Edmonton and going to Oilers games,” said Hamblin. “To say that I have an opportunity to go out and be one of those guys is pretty special for me.”

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The Oilers signed Hamblin to a two-year contract, which is slated to begin in 2022-23 season.

It’s been a long road to this point for the 22-year-old, who was never drafted to the NHL and has spent the last few seasons impressing in the AHL after signing his pro deal in the spring of 2020.

“I don’t think I ever counted myself out,” said Hamblin. “I think I just put in the work as much as I possibly could and I have a belief that good things will happen when I do that.”

Hamblin is a five-year veteran of the Tigers organization, the last of which he was mentored by current head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins.

“I don’t think I ever counted myself out,” said Hamblin. “I think I just put in the work as much as I possibly could and I have a belief that good things will happen when I do that.”

In all his years coaching at both the professional and junior levels, Desjardins calls Hamblin one of the hardest workers he’s seen in his time.

“There’s the one type of player that’s just so talented that he gets there no matter what you do, and then there’s the other guy like Jimmy Hamblin who fights his way to get there,” said Desjardins. “It’s great for both players, but I think it’s a little bit more special for a guy who has to work so hard.”

Hamblin’s time as a Tigers centreman is well documented with 115 goals and 284 points scored over a whopping 324 regular season games, the latter of which puts him tied for fifth in franchise history.

According to Desjardins though, Hamblin’s time down the middle almost came to an end during his overage season when he brought up the possibility of switching him to defence as the Tigers coach believed it could have been his best shot at reaching the NHL.

“We never made him a defenceman because he was leading the league in scoring, so it was kind of tough to make him a defenceman,” said Desjardins. “But, the reason we could have done that with him is because he was so good defensively, he wasn’t just an offensive guy. So, that’s why he’s getting a chance up in the NHL.”

While his tenure at rearguard was limited, Hamblin said it was something he was game to try.

“I think in the end we ended up trying it for maybe half a period or something like that at some point,” said Hamblin. “But, it wasn’t meant to be and it’s okay, it all worked out for me so far.”

One of just a handful of two-year captains in Tigers history, it was still a path filled with challenges for Hamblin who not only dealt with injury and the disappointment of being passed over in his draft year, but the loss of his mother Gina to cancer early in his time in Medicine Hat.

“That’s the thing with me is I’ve had to go through a ton of adversity to get here,” said Hamblin. “But, I’ve also had an amazing support group that’s helped me along the way. I can look back even at the entire Medicine Hat organization, the players, Willie, [associate coach] Joe Frazer, [former head coach] Shaun Clouston, the Masers, my billets, the list could go on. I don’t get here without their support.”

Hamblin’s ability to not back down at these hurdles is something Desjardins praised his former captain for, along with his commitment and focus to the game.

That determination has helped Hamblin break out for 14 goals and 22 points in 40 games this season with Bakersfield, though he knows it will take a more well-rounded game to reach the next level.

“It’s not going to be a top-six role and I have to know that, I have to understand that,” said Hamblin. “So, the scoring is great and I love that, I want to score as much as possible, but there’s also other aspects I have to get better at.”

Hamblin admits there is still plenty of work ahead to reach his goal of donning the Oilers sweater one day, but is finally seeing that effort paying off.

“For me this is just kind of a key that finally gives me a doorway to get into the league,” said Hamblin. “So, now it’s just about putting in the work and working on those little things that will earn me a spot on the team.”