Ken Hammond (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Hammond played college hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was co-captain and led the Engineers to the 1985 NCAA Division I championship. He was named a First Team All-American and to the All-NCAA Tournament team that season. Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1983, he made his NHL debut in 1985 and scored his first goal against the Vancouver Canucks. He spent parts of three seasons with the Kings, winning the team's Rookie of the Year Award in 1988. After being claimed off waivers by Edmonton, he was quickly claimed by the New York Rangers, then traded to Toronto. In 1990, the Maple Leafs traded his rights to the Boston Bruins, for whom he played one regular-season game and eight playoff games. He signed with the expansion San Jose Sharks in 1991 and played in their first game. He later joined the Ottawa Senators and played in their inaugural game as well.

Reader's Guide

Ken Hammond's NHL career spanned eight seasons and seven teams, a journeyman path that included brief stints with contenders and expansion clubs. His most significant achievement was being part of two expansion franchises' first games, for the Sharks in 1991 and the Senators in 1992. At the college level, he was a key contributor to RPI's 1985 NCAA championship, earning First Team All-American honors. His professional career included time in the AHL and IHL, where he often produced offensively from the blue line. Though he never became a full-time NHL regular, his ability to move between organizations and adapt to different roles kept him in the league for parts of nine seasons. After his NHL career ended, he played in the minor leagues until retiring in 1996.

Did You Know?

• Hammond scored his first NHL goal against Richard Brodeur of the Vancouver Canucks on April 5, 1985.
• He was co-winner of the Los Angeles Kings' Rookie of the Year Award in 1988.
• He was named a First Team All-American and won the NCAA championship with RPI in 1985.