Former Vipers Goaltender Hammond Records First Career NHL Shutout:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond made 25 saves for his first career NHL shutout Wednesday in a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.  Hammond made his first career NHL start a week ago Wednesday vs the Montreal Canadians recorded 42 saves in a 4-2 win over the Habs for his first career NHL victory. Hammond has now played in four games this season with Ottawa is now 3-0 with wins over Montreal, Florida & Anaheim.

The Ottawa Senators recalled Hammond from the American Hockey League (AHL) Binghamton Senators on January 29th 2015.  Hammond was in his second season with the Binghamton Senators before being called up to Ottawa where he attended the Senators development camp in July before being released from the Sens Training camp.

After four seasons with Bowling Green University Hammond signed his first pro contract with the Ottawa Senators on March 20th 2013. Hammond played last year as a rookie with the American Hockey League (AHL) Binghamton Senators. In 48 games with Binghamton Hammond went 25-19-3 with one shutout and a 2.81 GAA.

Hammond made his NHL debut last season was called up to the Ottawa Senators on February 27th 2014 vs the Detroit Red Wings. Hammond was the backup for Senators starting goaltender Robin Lehner that night but made his NHL debut after Lehner was pulled late in the 2nd period giving up six goals on fifteen Detroit shots. Hammond would finish the game playing just over thirty four minutes stopping all eleven Red Wing shots in a 6-1 loss to Detroit. Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks 2012 development camp and attended the Ottawa Senators 2013 development camp playing in a few exhibition games with the Senators last season. (no stats)

Hammond 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.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=38007

This is in the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper:

Hammond shuts down Ducks for another keepsake puck

Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen

Published on: February 26, 2015
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ANAHEIM – Andrew Hammond has another puck for his trophy case.

This one for his first NHL shutout. To go with last week’s, for his first NHL win. Which is more special?

“I don’t know, ask me in the summer,” said Hammond, beaming in the visitors’ dressing room at the Honda Center. “I’m just trying to have fun with this.”

The Senators, led by their plucky new goalie, are having a ton of fun. And they’re less than awed by the better teams in the NHL.

That was apparent again on Wednesday as the Senators handled the Pacific Division-leading Ducks for the second time this season. After a 6-2 beat down in Ottawa in December, the Senators have outscored the Ducks by a combined 9-2 in the two games.

With the win, the never-say-never Senators pull to within seven points of the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the east. Ottawa has two games in hand on Boston. The Senators have won three games in a row for the first time since Oct. 18, when they polished off a four-game winning streak in the second week of the season.

The mild-mannered Hammond continues to write a remarkable twist to a story that had been one of disappointment when he was in the American Hockey League, just another Binghamton Senators player enjoying a less than spectacular 2014-15 season.

Thrown into an emergency NHL start last week when Robin Lehner suffered a concussion, with No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson still out with a hand injury, Hammond has inexplicably reeled off three straight victories. In the process he has become the first goalie in Senators history to win three straight games in his first three NHL starts.

Hammond’s parents, Sandie and Marshall, drove in from Arizona for the game, and will also be in the stands when the Senators face the L.A. Kings Thursday.

“To have that happen tonight with them here makes it even more special,” Hammond said.

After beating the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers, Hammond was sharp again here in Anaheim, although he was also well insulated by a Senators team that understands they don’t have Anderson back there to bail them out as he did earlier in the season.

“We’re trying to limit the prime scoring chances, and it’s giving us a chance to win,” said winger Mark Stone, who stole two pucks with his takeaway wizardry. Stone says the team is playing a more “clean” game in the neutral and defensive zones.

Hammond stopped all 25 shots and the visitors outshot the hosts 34-25 in a game they controlled for the most part. Hammond has given up just three goals in his three starts. Time to pick him up for your office fantasy pool?

The Senators seized a two-goal lead in the second period as they continued their solid road game, protecting Hammond and putting pucks into the Ducks zone. From the far wall, Mike Hoffman fired a quick shot that goaltender John Gibson kicked out, but Mika Zibanejad was right there to tap it home.

In the dying seconds of the third, Kyle Turris added an empty net goal.

Hammond didn’t have to wait long to get into the game. The Ducks buzzed around him on the opening shifts, and he had to turn back Getzlaf and Perry early on.

Later in the period, on an Anaheim power play, Hammond sprawled to his left to make a glove off Ryan Kesler, who had seemed to have a ton of space, albeit on a sharp angle.

It was the visitors who struck first, though. An Eric Gryba point shot nicked winger Erik Condra and tucked inside the far post past Gibson in the Ducks net. That was at 10:57 of the first period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau drew the second assist.

“We forechecked them really well, made it hard for them to come out of their zone,” Turris said, noting the play in front of both nets. “We’re trying to get screens in front of their goalies, make it hard on him to see the puck, but it also creates rebounds.

“We’re trying to collapse in front of Hammond to make sure there are no second and third chances.

“Every game we’re trying to build momentum and confidence. Back to back with L.A. is really tough. This gets the trip off to a good start.”