Zach Hamill's play impacting the Bruins

Sometimes Bruins fans do not have the nicest things to say about Zach Hamill. There were high expectations for the 2007 first round draft pick who was selected 8th overall just before Logan Couture went to the San Jose Sharks. Hamill, who played in the WHL, had the Everett Silvertip's single season assist and points record as well as claiming seven Silvertips franchise career records in his draft year that could only poise him for success.

After not cracking the Bruins roster for a fifth time, Hamill is expected to spend this season with the Providence Bruins and has been in place as one of the forwards to be called up when needed in Boston.

That is just what happened when he was called up this past Wednesday due to Rich Peverley and Daniel Paille being lost to injury. The leading goal scorer for the minor league squad has 10 points with an even 5 goals and 5 assists through 14 games.

In the match up against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night, Hamill played arguably some of his best hockey he has played all season even including his play for Providence. The forward had 9:27 of ice time including one shift with 14 seconds of power play time. He created scoring chances, drew penalties and even had an assist on former Providence linemate Jordan Caron's goal in the first period.

Providence Bruins head Coach Bruce Cassidy was pleased with Hamill's play and said that the boys in Providence were as well.

"Hamill spent three years here. Ham is a good person and a good teammate," Cassidy said following the Providence 1-0 victory over the Manchester Monarchs Friday night. "The guys are happy for him," Cassidy continued, but while they are happy, the other skaters for Providence will always want to be the next guy that gets called to Boston. Now perhaps they have more of a blueprint. "Whenever a young guy goes up and plays well, it makes it a lot easier for Claude to dip back in here and have some confidence to bring another guy up," Cassidy said.

Players have to play for their ice time and Cassidy thinks that Hamill just might have a good shot in being in the line up against the Buffalo Sabres.

"When a guy is maybe 50-50 in the line up like Peverley, he might play but he might not. Ham gets his chance. I think Claude would be a lot more comfortable putting Ham back in there the way he played," Cassidy said.

On his last call up, Hamill played in 3 games with only 1 assist but based on his play Thursday night he can really make the most of his time in Boston trying to rack up NHL points.