Dan Hamhuis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dan Hamhuis
Hamhuis with the Vancouver Canucks in October 2015
Born	(1982-12-13) December 13, 1982 (age 42) Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Nashville Predators Vancouver Canucks Dallas Stars
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	12th overall, 2001 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2002–2020

Daniel Hamhuis (born December 13, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a skilled defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was first chosen by the Nashville Predators in the 2001 NHL Draft.

Hamhuis played junior hockey with the Prince George Cougars. This was in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was picked 12th overall by the Predators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The next year, he won awards for being the best defenceman and player in the WHL. He was also named the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). After his junior career, Hamhuis started playing professionally. He joined the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL). This team was linked to the Predators. He made his NHL debut with Nashville the following year.

After playing five seasons with the Predators, Hamhuis became a free agent. He then signed a six-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. In his first year with the Canucks, he helped them reach the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. They played against the Boston Bruins but lost the series.

Hamhuis also played for Canada in many international tournaments. He played at both junior and senior levels. He won bronze and silver medals at the World Junior Championships in 2001 and 2002. He also played in four World Championships in a row. He won a gold medal in 2007 and silver medals in 2008 and 2009. In 2014, he was chosen for the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. He won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Hamhuis retired from professional hockey in 2020.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Junior Hockey

When Hamhuis was young, he broke his leg. This meant fewer scouts saw him play. So, he was not picked in the WHL Bantam Draft. He later said he didn't even know about the draft until months later. The Prince George Cougars added him to their special list. He then started his junior career in the 1998–99 season. He scored one goal and four points in 56 games. He was named the Cougars' rookie and best student player that year.

The next season, 1999–2000, he got better. He scored 10 goals and 33 points in 70 games. He helped the Cougars reach the Conference Finals. He scored two goals and five points in 13 playoff games. He was also named the Cougars' best student player again.

In his third WHL season, 2000–01, Hamhuis scored even more. He had 13 goals and 59 points in 62 games. This made him one of the top defencemen in the league. He was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team. He also won the Cougars' most dedicated player award. He was the captain for his team in the 2001 CHL Top Prospects Game.

NHL scouts thought he was the second-best North American player. They also said he was the top defenceman. The Nashville Predators picked him 12th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Scouts said he was a strong, offensive defenceman. He was known for his great skating, passing, and hitting. His coach compared his style to Scott Niedermayer.

After being drafted, Hamhuis went to his first NHL training camp. But he was sent back to the WHL on September 19, 2001. In his fourth junior season, he had his best year. He got 50 assists and 60 points in 59 games. He won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy for best defenceman. He also won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy for player of the year. He was the first player since 1977 to win both awards. Hamhuis also won the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award. He was named to the WHL West and CHL First All-Star Teams. He left Prince George as the team's all-time leader in assists.

Starting Professional Hockey

On July 7, 2002, the Predators signed Hamhuis to a contract. He was almost on Nashville's team for the 2002–03 season. But he was sent to the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. This was on October 3. He scored six goals and 27 points in 68 games for the Admirals. This was his first year as a professional player.

Joining the Nashville Predators (2003–2010)

Hamhuis during a Predators practice in September 2005

Hamhuis joined the NHL with the Predators the next season. He made the team right out of training camp. He scored his first NHL goal on October 16, 2003. It was a game-winning goal on the power play. It was against St. Louis Blues goalie Chris Osgood. Nashville won that game 4–1.

Later that season, he had a great night on March 4, 2004. He scored one goal and had four assists in a 9–4 win. This was against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He finished the 2003–04 season with seven goals and 26 points in 82 games. He was one of the top rookie defencemen in the NHL. Hamhuis was also picked for the 2004 NHL YoungStars Game. He helped the Predators make the playoffs for the first time ever. They lost in the first round to the Detroit Red Wings.

Because of the NHL lockout, Hamhuis played in the AHL in 2004–05. He scored 13 goals and 51 points in 76 games. He was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. He also played in the 2005 AHL All-Star Game.

When the NHL started again in 2005–06, Hamhuis signed a new contract with the Predators. He had a career-best season with seven goals, 31 assists, and 38 points in 82 games. He played the most minutes on the ice for the Predators.

After this great season, Hamhuis signed a four-year contract with the Predators. His scoring went down a bit the next year. In 2007–08, he scored four goals and 27 points. He scored his first playoff goal in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Nashville lost that series. Hamhuis kept scoring around 25 points in the next two seasons.

In his last few seasons with Nashville, his role changed. Younger defencemen like Shea Weber and Ryan Suter became the top offensive players. Hamhuis became a "shutdown" defenceman. This meant he played against the other team's best players. He also played a lot when his team was shorthanded.

It became clear that Hamhuis would not re-sign with the Predators. So, his rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in June 2010. He couldn't agree on a contract with them. Then his rights were traded again to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also couldn't agree on a contract with Pittsburgh.

Playing for the Vancouver Canucks (2010–2016)

Hamhuis during a team practice with the Vancouver Canucks in March 2012

On July 1, 2010, Hamhuis became a free agent. He signed a six-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He grew up in Smithers, British Columbia, and wanted to play for the Canucks. This was a big reason he didn't sign with Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Early in the 2010–11 season, he hurt his foot blocking a shot. He missed eight games. When he came back, he scored his first goal as a Canuck. Later, he got a concussion in a game. He hit his head on the boards after a hit from Ryan Getzlaf. Hamhuis later said the hit was "unnecessary."

After returning, he scored two goals in one game for the first time. He finished the season with six goals and 23 points in 64 games. He helped the Canucks have the best record in the NHL. This won them their first Presidents' Trophy. In the 2011 playoffs, the Canucks made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. During Game 1 against the Boston Bruins, Hamhuis got a serious injury. He was out for the rest of the series. The Canucks lost the Final in seven games.

In his second season with Vancouver, 2011–12, Hamhuis had a career-high 33 assists and 37 points. He also led the Canucks in plus-minus. The Canucks won their second straight Presidents' Trophy. In the 2012 playoffs, the Canucks were upset by the Los Angeles Kings.

In the 2012–13 season, which was shorter due to a lockout, Hamhuis had 24 points in 47 games. The Canucks lost in the first round of the 2013 playoffs.

On October 6, 2013, Hamhuis got his 200th NHL assist. He played in 79 games in the 2013–14 season. The Canucks did not make the playoffs that year.

In November 2014, he tore his groin and missed 22 games. He finished the 2014–15 season with 23 points in 59 games. The Canucks returned to the playoffs but lost in the first round.

In December 2015, Hamhuis broke his jaw from a slapshot. He missed 21 games. He ended the 2015–16 season with 13 points in 58 games. The Canucks struggled and missed the playoffs again.

Playing for the Dallas Stars (2016–2018)

On July 1, 2016, Hamhuis signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He played 159 games with the Stars and scored 40 points.

Returning to Nashville (2018–2020)

On July 25, 2018, Hamhuis signed a two-year contract to return to the Nashville Predators. This was the team that first drafted him. In the 2018-19 NHL season, he had five assists in 57 games. He played in six playoff games against his former team, the Dallas Stars. The Stars won that series.

On August 13, 2020, Daniel Hamhuis announced he was retiring from the NHL. He played for 16 seasons.

International Play for Canada

Hamhuis during the 2008 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2007 Russia
Gold	2015 Czech Republic
Silver	2008 Canada
Silver	2009 Switzerland
World Junior Championships
Silver	2002 Czech Republic
Bronze	2001 Russia

Hamhuis played for the Canadian junior team in 2001 and 2002. He won a bronze medal in 2001 in Russia. He had one assist in seven games. The next year in the Czech Republic, he won a silver medal. He scored three points in six games. He was hurt during that tournament but came back to help Canada win silver.

Four years later, Hamhuis joined the Canadian men's team. This was for the 2006 World Championships in Latvia. It was his first of four straight appearances. He led all Canadian defencemen with five points in nine games. Canada finished fourth.

Hamhuis with the IIHF World Championship trophy in 2007

The next year, 2007, he joined the team after his Predators were out of the playoffs. He won his first international gold medal. Canada beat Finland 4–2 in Moscow. He had three points in nine games.

In 2008, Canada played in the gold medal game again. But they lost to Russia in overtime. Hamhuis was second on the team in ice time.

Canada faced Russia again in 2009 and lost. Hamhuis scored four points in nine games. He was again second in ice time for Canada.

Hamhuis was invited to a camp for the 2010 Winter Olympics. But he was not chosen for the Olympic team.

In 2014, Hamhuis was named to the Canadian Olympic team. This was for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games. Team Canada won the gold medal, beating Sweden 3-0.

Personal Life and Interests

Daniel Hamhuis grew up in Smithers, British Columbia. His parents are Marty and Ida. He has two sisters, Erin and Cindy. His father and sisters also played hockey. Hamhuis grew up in a Christian home. He has continued to follow his faith. When he joined the Canucks, he helped organize chapel services for his teammates.

Hamhuis started playing hockey at age four. He often played against older kids. This was because his hometown was small. He won a provincial title with his team, the Smithers Storm. Future teammates Cody Franson and Shea Weber were stick boys for teams he played against. Hamhuis cheered for the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks when he was young.

Hamhuis left home at 15 to play junior hockey. He met his wife, Sarah, while playing for the Prince George Cougars. They have three daughters.

Hamhuis is now one of the owners of the Prince George Cougars team. He is part of a group that bought the team in 2014. This group includes another NHL player, Eric Brewer.

While with the Canucks, Hamhuis was very involved in community work. He was a spokesperson for the Canucks Autism Network. This group helps families living with autism in British Columbia.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2001	Canada	WJC			7	0	1	1	8
2002	Canada	WJC			6	0	3	3	8
2006	Canada	WC	4th		9	1	4	5	10
2007	Canada	WC			9	1	2	3	2
2008	Canada	WC			9	1	1	2	8
2009	Canada	WC			9	2	2	4	16
2013	Canada	WC	5th		3	0	1	1	2
2014	Canada	OG			5	0	0	0	0
2015	Canada	WC			10	0	6	6	8
Junior totals					13	0	4	4	16
Senior totals					52	5	16	21	44

Awards and Honors

WHL and CHL Awards

AHL Awards