Oilers James Hamblin reveals tragic time during interview

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Ryan Hall
July 3, 2024 (9:35 PM)

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Fresh after signing his two-year two-way deal with the Edmonton Oilers, James Hamblin sat down with Jason Gregor and opened about his tragedy that changed his life.

The tragedy that occurred was the passing of Hamblin's mother Gina who died of ovarian cancer back in 2017. He was playing for the Medicine Hat tigers at the time, and he told Gregor about the moment when he realized that he was hugging his mother for the last time and how it changed him in maturity and the relationship with his father.

The undrafted 25-year-old began with the Oilers after signing a two year deal worth $1.615 million back in 2022. During his first game as an oiler and scoring his first goal as an NHL player, he dedicated his goal to his late mother.

"To hug your mom for the last time knowing she is dying, makes you mature really quick. I have a younger sister, and she was lost her mom as well, and it also changed the relationship with my father. We have all become much closer," James Hamblin #Oilers #Condors

During last season, he split his time between the Oilers and the AHL Bakersfield Condors where he played a combination of 44 games, scoring six goals with five assists for 11 points and had eight penalty minutes.

Oilers president and interim general manager Jeff Jackson felt he had given the team enough and awarded him to a new contract that was a two-year two-way deal worth $1.55 million.

Having the two-way deal gives the Oilers more flexibility in terms of salary cap and the ability to call him when they need him especially if an injury were to happen. It's also worth noting that his salary will not change whether he is with the Condors or the Oilers.

In the end this is a solid deal for both parties and continues to give depth to the Oilers.