Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks development camp last week. Hammond who finished his third season with Bowling Green University played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948
This is in the BCHL Newsletter:
After three years at Bowling Green State University, Falcons netminder and Vernon Vipers alum Andrew Hammond finds himself on a team finally headed in the right direction.
But the struggle it took to get the Falcons program back on track has been a good showcase for the Surrey native and this week, he's at the Chicago Blackhawks development camp.
Hammond missed a chance to go to a Washington Capitals camp last summer after he sustained a shoulder injury. This year, he's one of three BCHL alums at Hawks camp along with former Powell River Kings Mat Bodie and Dan Carr.
"I talked to my advisor after the season and we agreed Chicago was a good place to come to," says the 24-year-old. "It's been great and I've had a great time here."
After fitness testing at the United Centre, the on-ice action has taken place at the Hawks practice facility at Johnny's IceHouse. Hammond has tried to make the most of the opportunity.
"I think I've done well; we've had two scrimmages so far and I've felt like I've played really well," says the 6-foot-1, 196-pound goaltender, adding Blackhawks standouts Dave Bolland and Patrick Kane have been spotted at the rink. "Today (Thursday) I played a period and we wound up winning."
On the hockey side of things, Hammond has taken everything in stride. The off-ice health checks have been extensive though.
"They're really making sure the players are healthy," says Hammond. "There's blood tests, EKG readings - it's more than I expected but it's been good."
Hammond got the invite to Chicago's camp after claiming each of the Falcons 14 wins last season. He also made the most saves in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with 1,233 which was 61 more than his next closest competitor, Shawn Hunwick of Michigan.
"We've got a new coach (Chris Bergeron) who came on in my second year and there's a lot more money directed to the program now which is helping," says the sports management/business major. "It's become a real special place to me; we haven't lost a lot of players and we've got some good freshmen coming in. In the (Bowling Green) glory years of the 1980s they won a national championship and we're starting to build back towards that."
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