Dan Hamhuis

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, the American Hockey League featured one of its deepest and most talented roster of players. Among the top performers in that season was Admirals defensemen Dan Hamhuis.

“Dan was a special player that was able control play at both ends of the ice. He brought a lot to the table being a smart, strong and solid defensemen," said former Admiral teammate Darren Hayder.  "Dan not only is a great player but he is one of the best people I have met in the game of hockey.”

Hamhuis was a first round (12th Overall) selection of the Nashville Predators in the 2001 NHL Draft and made his professional hockey debut with the Milwaukee Admirals during the 2002-03 season. His impact was instantly felt in the organization. In his rookie campaign, Hamhuis led team defensemen in scoring with 27 points (6 goals and 21 assists) in 68 games and pitched in three assists in the playoffs, helping the Ads out of the first round for the first time in five seasons

His breakout rookie performance with the Admirals, combined with a solid performance in training camp the following year, lead to the Nashville Predators decision to keep Hamhuis up with the NHL squad for the entire 2003-04 season. That year he played 80 games, posted 26 points (7 goals and 19 assists), and contributed with 2 assists in 6 playoff games for the Preds.

With the NHL lockout of 2004-05 looming Hamhuis was sent back to Milwaukee for the season, and showed that he was one of the best of the best. He played in 76 games, produced the second highest scoring output on the entire team (13 goals, 38 assists, and 51 points), was an AHL All Star Classic selection, and finished the year named to the All-AHL Second Team.

While he was a defensemen who could feature on the score sheet it was Hamhuis’ quiet confidence on and off the ice that translated into being a solid professional hockey player. Even as a young talent his coolness under pressure and his ability to work hard had a calming effect on his teammates.

With the NHL lockout of 2004-05 over Hamhuis was brought back to the Nashville Predators, where he played from 2005-10. The native of Smithers, British Columbia then made the decision as an unrestricted free-agent to play close to home with the Vancouver Canucks. He remains with the Vancouver organization and is continuing a solid professional career that all started in Milwaukee.