Hamill Selected by the Boston Bruins Eighth Overall
June 22, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release
Everett, WA - June 22, 2007: Everett Silvertips forward Zach Hamill was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1st Round (8th Overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Friday night. Hamill becomes the fifth Everett player in franchise history to be selected in the NHL Draft and the third ever Silvertip drafted in the 1st round of the NHL Draft.
The Port Coquitlam, BC native led the WHL in scoring during the 2006-2007 regular season with 93 points. Hamill recorded 32 goals and a league high 61 assists for 93 points in 69 games for the Silvertips last season. Hamill earned first team Western Conference All-Star honors and became the first Silvertip to win the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading scorer. Zach is currently the all time leading scorer in Silvertips franchise history with 187 points. Hamill is also the all time leader in franchise history in goals scored (61) and assists (126). The Silvertips 1st Round selection (3rd Overall) in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft is also the all time franchise leader in playoff points (35), playoff assists (25) and playoff games played (58).
Hamill participated in 2006 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge and the 2007 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game during the 2006-2007 season. Zach also received several other awards last season. Hamill was named the 2006-2007 Everett Silvertips Team MVP and was named the WHL Player of the Month of January. Hamill will also represent Canada at the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series in August.
Hamill was one of six WHL players chosen in the first fifteen selections in the first round of this year's draft. The 2007 NHL Entry Draft will continue with rounds 2-7 on Saturday. Silvertips defenseman Taylor Ellington is expected to be selected in second day of the draft.
The first NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal on June 5, 1963. All amateur players, 17 years of age and older who were not already sponsored by an NHL club, were eligible to be drafted. Garry Monahan, a center from the St. Michael's Juveniles of Toronto, was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens.
Beginning with the 1980 Entry Draft and continuing today, all 18, 19 and 20-year old North American and non-North American born players have been eligible to be drafted. In addition, non-North American players aged 21-years or older are eligible for claim. From 1987 to 1991, the selection of 18 and 19-year-old players was restricted to the first three rounds of the draft, unless the player met qualifying criteria that dealt with hockey experience in major junior, U.S. college and high school or European hockey. Starting with the 1992 Draft, those players were available in all rounds.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 22, 2007
- Karl Alzner to Washington, Alex Plante to Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Hamill Selected by the Boston Bruins Eighth Overall - Everett Silvertips
- Los Angeles Kings Take Thomas Hickey 4th Overall in 2007 NHL Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Pleau Named Oil Kings Head Coach - Spokane Chiefs
- Season Tickets on Sale Now; Kids Tickets Reduced in Half - Prince George Cougars
- Edmonton Oil Kings Make King Size News - Edmonton Oil Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
