Jeff Hamilton played college hockey for Yale University from 1996 to 2001. In his junior season in 1998-99, he was a key offensive leader for the team, tallying 48 points on 20 goals and 28 assists in 30 games. His outstanding performance earned him a top-ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and a Second-Team All-American selection. He also set a new school record as Yale’s all-time leading scorer.

After a decorated college career, Hamilton went on to play professionally in North America and Europe. He played in 157 NHL games for the New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs, accumulating 77 points. He had his most productive NHL season with the Blackhawks in 2006-07, scoring 18 goals and 21 assists for 39 points. Hamilton also had a successful career in the AHL, where he won the Willie Marshall Award in 2004 as the league’s top goal scorer with 43 goals. He retired from professional hockey in 2011.