Dan Hamhuis walked through every door that came open to him during his distinguished hockey career and now he is getting a well-deserved curtain call.
The Smithers native and co-owner of the Prince George Cougars is part of the Class of 2025 to be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton on Saturday.
As a young kid, growing up in the Nordic-inspired picturesque beauty of the northwest, not in Hamhuis’ wildest dreams did he think an 18-year professional hockey career was even an option growing up, let along leaving his hometown to play major junior for the Cougars in the late-90’s.
“I dreamed of playing in the NHL but I never thought that it was a reality or that there was even a path ahead of me to be able to do that. I played because I love the game and all of the time spent dreaming of that playing road hockey all that time, eventually paid,”
After lighting up the Single-A ranks with the Smithers A’s where he amassed 131 points in 59 games in 1997-98, Hamhuis took his first leap of faith and made the cut as a rookie defenseman with the Prince George Cougars – a place he would call home for four seasons.
His game at the junior level grew by leaps and bounds after his first year – after notching just one goal in 98-99 – he tallied 10 goals or more in his last three seasons while also seeing his point totals from the blueline increase from 33 to 59, and then 60.
The road to the big leagues became much clearer after he was taken 12th overall by the upstart Nashville Predators in the 2001 NHL Draft, a place he would call home for eight seasons during his pro career.
During his 1,148 game NHL journey, which spanned 16 seasons, Hamhuis also spent six years with the Vancouver Canucks along with a two-year stint with the Dallas Stars.
When asked about his pro career, which also included a stint with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, Hamhuis said there are a handful of moments that stand out.
“Going to the Olympics was a pinnacle of the career and winning that gold medal was pretty special and the run we had with the Vancouver Canucks we had was special. It didn’t end the way we wanted losing in game seven of the Stanley Cup final, but it was such an amazing year.”
Mixed in with all of that, Hamhuis lived out another childhood dream by wearing the Maple Leaf for Canada at the international stage on nine occasions, which included the World Junior Hockey Championship (a bronze and a silver medal), six appearances at the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship (two gold medals and two silver medals) along with one Olympic appearance (gold medal in Sochi, Russia).
“The Hockey Canada experiences are something that not everybody experiences and I was able to wear that jersey on nine separate occasions. That was really special and added a lot to my career.”
“I have to pinch myself all of that happened, It seems unreal looking back on it now – it was a lot of fun and I loved the game, loved playing and trying to get better at it all of the time and all the people I was able to do it with,” added Hamhuis.
Joining Hamhuis in the BC Hockey Hall of Fame will be longtime competitor and retired NHL’er Shawn Horcoff.
Horcoff, who was born in Trail, battled his entire career against Hamhuis due to the fact they always played on Western Conference rivals. Horcoff is most remembered for his time with the Edmonton Oilers while also suiting up for the Stars and Anaheim Ducks.
Both won a silver medal together during the 2009 men’s world championships. Hamhuis is quite happy to share the stage with someone equally as deserving.
“I know Shawn a bit as we played together at the world championships. Once you play on the same team with the guy you kind of have a connection throughout the rest of your career and I am looking forward to going through the experience with Shawn.”
Joining Hamhuis in the hall of fame is Mike Penny, (Builder), Larry Kwong (Pioneer/Player/Builder), Ted Hargreaves (Builder) as well as the 1987 Centennial Cup champion Richmond Sockeyes and the 1978 Allan Cup champion Kimberley Dynamiters.
“There are so many great names that are in there and now that I look back on my career from a different perspective, it’s neat to look back. It was a great career, it was longer than most to be able to play 18 years of pro,” added Hamhuis.
“From minor hockey, junior and pro – my family, wife and kids, the impact they have had on my life and in my career to be able to do that certainly would not have come close to experience or even have played pro without all of those people.”
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