Not many players have appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cup tournaments, but defenseman Al Hamilton is one. As a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, Hamilton played in the 1964, 1965 and 1966 tournaments, with the club winning the national title in that final year. Among some of Hamilton's more notable teammates on that championship team included; Ron Anderson, Jim Harrison, Ross Lonsberry, Don McLeod and the late Garnet Bailey.
Hamilton played his first NHL game with the New York Rangers in the 1965-66 season. He continued to be inserted into the Rangers' lineup on occasion, mostly to fill in for injured players but did not get his first prolonged look until 1969-70 when he dressed for 59 games. The expansion Buffalo Sabres liked what they saw in Hamilton, and picked him in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft and was a member of the franchise during their first two years of existence.
The advent of the WHA meant more jobs, and often better money for players such as Hamilton. He jumped to the rival league for the 1972-73 season, joining the Alberta Oilers, who would become the Edmonton Oilers by the second year. Perhaps the pinnacle of Hamilton's pro career came in 1974 when he appeared in three games for Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He played eight years in Edmonton, finishing his career in Edmonton back in the NHL in 1979-80.
