DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted a profile of new Red Wings defenseman Travis Hamonic earlier this afternoon, but you’re getting it now as my aunt is having a bad day, and I needed to step away from the blog for a bit to take care of somebody who’s just coming off a heavy antibiotic.
Anyway, Mills’ profile is quite good, and worth a read:
Not only does Travis Hamonic, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Aug. 15, want to bring a hardworking style of play to his new club in the 2025-26 season, but the veteran defenseman also hopes to make a difference away from the rink.
“I’m excited to come in,” Hamonic said in his introductory Zoom call with the media last week. “It seems like a great, very close group. I’m ready to integrate myself into the team and community. Such a storied franchise…I’ve only been a Wing for a little bit, but very proud of that opportunity to wear that jersey. Very thankful for the organization for giving me that chance, so I want to make sure that I’m ready to go and I believe that I am, and to be a positive impact through my time in Detroit and as a Wing.”
Embracing a physical, third-pair role with the Ottawa Senators last season, Hamonic finished with seven points (one goal, six assists) in 59 games while averaging 17:04 of ice time per contest.
“The last couple seasons in Ottawa, my role has kind of been a little bit of everything,” Hamonic said. “There were some injuries last year, but I thought I had a good season and played well. This upcoming season, I’m just kind of ready to do whatever is asked of me, be a good player, a good teammate and push for playing time. We have a good defensive core back there. It’s going to be competitive, and I’m there to push and earn my ice time.”
Originally selected by the New York Islanders in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Hamonic has been around the sport for quite some time. He’s skated in 900 career-regular season games between the Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Senators since 2010-11, and the 34-year-old has plenty of wisdom to share with his new Red Wings teammates.
“For myself, especially in the last couple years and with some of the young defensemen we had in Ottawa, I really wanted to be someone who was relied upon to help,” Hamonic said. “If you can help share some sort of knowledge or understanding of the game that you’ve learned throughout your career to help pay it forward… I remember some of those players when I was younger and I’m still very appreciative of that. If you can come in, show you can play and really contribute to the team, and then help those young players along the way, whether it’s on or off the ice or whatever the case may be, to come in and set a good example and really help…To look back on your career when you’re older, I think that’s something you’ll look back on and be proud of.”
Continued; Hamonic is a little long in the tooth at 35 years of age, but the 6’2,” 205-pound defenseman may very well thrive in a #6/7 role. Playing limited minutes, he can maximize his physical impact.
