GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Senior defenseman Trevor Hamilton has inked a one-year deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League for the 2018-19 season. Grand Rapids is the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.
The senior was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection earlier this month and in just two short seasons in Hockey Valley, Hamilton etched his name as one of the most dominate blue-liners the program has ever seen.
“Everything we hoped would be a possibility for Trevor happened during his two seasons in Hockey Valley,” commented head coach Guy Gadowsky. “He became one of the best defensemen in program history in just two seasons and we are thrilled for him and his family on signing this contract and wish him the very best in the future.”
Hamilton finished the 2017-18 season with 29 points on six goals and 23 assists falling just one-point shy of the Penn State single-season point record for a defenseman, but his 23 assists do stand as a Penn State single-season record for blue-liners. His 29 points is tied for the Big Ten lead and ranks 15th nationally for defensemen.
For the second-consecutive year, Hamilton leads the nation in blocked shots with 109 after compiling 107 during the 2016-17 campaign. His 2017-18 total and his career total of 216 blocks are both Penn State records.
Hamilton leaves Penn State third on the career points list for blue-liners with 55 while his 43 assists rank third among d-men and his 12 goals are good for fourth by Blue and White defensemen. Hamilton’s single-season totals of 29 and 26 points also rank second and third all-time at Penn State by a defenseman.
“Playing professional hockey is something I have always dreamed about and I know my family is very proud of me and I cannot thank them enough for all the sacrifices they made for me throughout this journey,” mentioned Hamilton. “These last two years at Penn State have been the best of my life, without my teammates, the coaching staff and the extended staff I wouldn’t be where I am today and I am forever grateful that Penn State gave me this opportunity.”