Like Father, Like Son:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Like father, like son

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Published: April 24, 2010

Steve Hamilton used to follow his dad to work as a tyke. Was a very cool place. Wayne Gretzky worked there. So did Mark Messier. Glen Sather was the man in charge.

It was where Steve learned to skate as his dad, Al, made the young studs like Gretz and Mess feel welcome in pro hockey.

Steve, the head coach of the No. 1 ranked Spruce Grove Saints, had fond memories of daddy daycare at the rink. He even ran around the old Edmonton Gardens. He was an Oiler stick boy at 11 and had a blast watching Edmonton’s Cup success.

“He (Gretzky) was a young guy, but he credited my dad as being one of the group of older guys who really helped him settle in,” said Steve, as he took a break from bowling early Friday afternoon at Lincoln Lanes.

“It was a pretty neat collection of talent and collection of guys. I think my dad would even say he was pretty fortunate to play with those guys. Those were the glory days in Edmonton for sure.”

Al Hamilton, now a 63-year-old in dental and health care plan sales, was the first player to have his jersey (No. 3) retired by the Oilers. He was named captain of the World Hockey Association Alberta Oilers at age 26, racking up 61 points that season.

“It’s pretty neat, it really is,” said Steve, of seeing his dad’s jersey in the rafters at Rexall Place. “It’s neat for my kids now. I’ve got three kids, and they’re all small. We took them to the circus there last year and it was neat for them to look up and see grampa’s jersey. It’s quite an accomplishment to be recognized like that.”

An eye injury forced Al to retire after the 1979-80 season, the Oilers’ first in the NHL. Gretzky, at 18, compiled 137 points. Messier, the same age, had 33.

Before spending five years in the NHL and seven seasons in the WHA, Al won the ‘66 Memorial Cup with the Edmonton Junior Oil Kings. He racked up 82 points and was being compared to Bobby Orr of the Oshawa Generals. Al was the Buffalo Sabres’ third choice in the ‘70 NHL expansion draft.

“We have very similar views on the game,” said Steve, an assistant under his dad with the AJHL Sherwood Park Crusaders before getting a head coaching gig three years ago with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders.

“I think I get my views obviously growing up from a guy who’s spent his life playing and coaching. It’s a wonderful relationship to be able to have somebody who’s separated from what I’m going through, but is supportive.”

Steve got into coaching after his university hockey days with the Northern Michigan Wildcats. His teammates in college included the likes of former Vernon Lakers Dallas Drake, Tony Szabo and Phil Soukaroff.

Steve, AJHL Coach of the Year the last two seasons, said he used to coach like he was a player, changing his style through experience to get more of a mature mind-set.

On the fact that one of the top-two teams in the nation won’t be advancing to the Royal Bank Cup in the Manitoba honeymoon capital of Dauphin:

“It seems a little bit skewed because year after year, you could probably make that argument, and probably again this year.”

On the Oilers’ rebuilding project:

“I think people have come to the realization that it’s time. I think that the owners have a plan in place that they want to accomplish and a time frame that they wanna see it. I think it’s safe to say that the free agents haven’t had the impact the organization had hoped it would.”

NOTES AND QUOTES: Spruce Grove d-man Kodie Curran described Wesbild Centre as “a very special place to play.” He said the team has been treated royally. One has to wonder why Vernon can’t get a gold-medal presentation together and host the RBC before Vancouver is awarded another Winter Olympics. Fort McMurray, Alta. is going up against bids from Port Alberni, Humboldt, Sask. and Kingston, Ont. to host the 2012 nationals. Fort McMurray hosted the 2000 RBC when Scottie Upshall was their main man...Viper grads Andrew Derton and Aaron Schepers are playing for the Fort St. John Flyers in the Allan Cup (Senior A hockey). Former Viper coach Mike Vandekamp is the host Flyers’ guest assistant...Viper d-man Adam Thompson will be teammates with the Saints’ Brett Switzer and Carson Cooper in the 2011-12 NCAA season at Yale in New Haven, Conn.