Pretty slick on blue line

Bruins’ Hamilton impressive so far

September 21, 2011|By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

Only 18, Bruins prospect Dougie Hamilton has time to grow into the job as… (Jim Davis/Globe Staff )

PROVIDENCE - It was not a drill that was kind to defensemen.

On Monday at TD Garden, each blue liner squared off against a puck-carrying forward. As the forward sprinted the full length of the ice, the defenseman had to skate backward, keep the puck carrier in sight, and defend the scoring chance.

Zdeno Chara struggled to get his legs pumping. Andrew Ference had several forwards blow his doors off by the time he reached the defensive zone.

Dougie Hamilton had no such problems.

One of the most important reasons the Bruins selected the 6-foot-4-inch, 194-pound Hamilton with the ninth overall pick is his silky skating. On each repetition of Monday’s drill, Hamilton revved up to speed with several short bursts, then transitioned into a longer, smoother stride. By the time both players hit the defensive zone, Hamilton was positioned perfectly to swat away pucks with his stick or stand up to the shooter with squared-up shoulders.

“Certainly a strong backward skater,’’ noted coach Claude Julien. “He has a good stick. I think he’s learning a lot about our game at the pro level.

“He’s one of those guys that we talk about who come back to camp and improve every year. He’s one of those players that will certainly do that.’’

The 18-year-old Hamilton will almost certainly return to juniors sometime during training camp. The goal is for him to make an early impact with Niagara, then earn a roster spot for Canada’s World Junior Championship entry. Hamilton could very well play for Niagara again in 2012-13.

There is no rush for Hamilton to become a pro until he is closer to a finished physical product. He could be 15 pounds and perhaps even a half-inch away.

The current template, however, projects that when Hamilton starts drawing a pro salary, he will be an impact NHLer for good.

During general manager Peter Chiarelli’s watch, the Bruins had never drafted a high-end defenseman. Their previous draft plucks include Tommy Cross and Ryan Button - players who, if they make the NHL, look to be mid-tier blue liners. Steven Kampfer, Matt Bartkowski, David Warsofsky, and Colby Cohen, the young former collegians the Bruins acquired via trades, are also depth defensemen.

Hamilton’s physical tools, skill set, and hockey sense could make him a top-pairing two-way defenseman. It all starts with how well he moves.

“I think I’ve always been a pretty good skater and pretty athletic,’’ Hamilton said. “As I’ve grown, it’s kind of been tough getting used to the long legs. But I think it’s helped a lot. My stride’s longer with my long legs. I’m just working on the quick feet. I think my skating’s one of the strongest parts of my game.’’