Oilers forward opens up about tragic loss in new interview
Plenty of Oilers fans are cheering for James Hamblin, a 25 year old depth forward in the organization, a hometown kid, and someone who has overcome so much already.
Hamblin was at the Oilers Hockey School event at Rogers Place today, an event that gives some local youth an opportunity to practice with the professionals. While giving back to the community at this event, Hamblin stopped for an interview about his offseason and career so far.
After playing 31 games for the Oilers last season, Hamblin's now fully motivated to make the team as a regular player. He detailed his efforts getting better with offensive puck skills and penalty killing this offseason, hoping to use those skills to land a spot in the bottom six.
I can look back and be very happy with myself. I obviously want to continue to work towards more and a full time position on this team. I think the biggest thing for me, the biggest highlight was my first goal and being able to celebrate my mom.
The tragic loss happened back in 2017 when Hamblin was playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers as an undrafted overage player. His mother Gina Hamblin passed away due to cancer, devastating him and his family. During his first game with the Oilers, Hamblin scored and dedicated the goal to his Mother.
Earlier this year, Hamblin had a harrowing quote about how the loss had affected himself and his family. His personal strength is incredible, and it truly comes out in his words.
Hamblin showed that he could be an NHL calibre player in his brief stint, but he'll be hard-pressed to make the Oilers roster this season. The bottom six wings seem to be filled up with Dylan Holloway, Corey Perry, Connor Brown, and Mattias Janmark. Perhaps some veteran players don't play a full 82 games, and injuries will surely occur, but for Hamblin to be a full time NHLer, he might be waiting years with the Oilers. At 25 years old and still trying to break into the league, he doesn't have much time left.
For the incredible story of perseverance, hard work, and being a local kid, it would be amazing to see Hamblin as a full time Oiler at some point in his career. Hopefully he can elevate his game to force their hand and call him up to the NHL to stay. Regardless of what happens next in his career, having that moment for his mother in his first game with his hometown team will be a treasured memory forever - and Hamblin knows that.
Source: Edmonton Oilers
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