The Ottawa Senators on Tuesday announced that they have re-signed left winger Denis Hamel to a two-year contract.
In 2004-05, his second campaign in the Senators organization, Hamel played in all 80 regular-season games for the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. The 28-year-old was second in team scoring behind Jason Spezza with 78 points on 39 goals and 39 assists. Hamel’s 39 goals are a personal season high. He also recorded two hat tricks on the season.
Hamel was originally signed as a free agent by the Senators on July 5, 2003 and re-signed in August 2004. He split the 2003-04 season between Ottawa and Binghamton, appearing in 78 AHL games while recording 67 points (29g, 38a) and 116 penalty minutes. He led Binghamton in goals, assists and points, was named to the AHL First All-Star Team and set AHL career highs in assists and points.
The native of Lachute, Que. appeared in five games with Ottawa in 2003-04 without recording a point. Hamel has played 135 career NHL games, recording 22 points (13g, 9a) and 67 penalty minutes with Ottawa and the Buffalo Sabres.
In 430 career AHL contests with Binghamton and Rochester, Hamel has recorded 155 goals and 153 assists for 308 points.
