Ray Hamlin returns to Essex-County

When Ray Hamlin took the ice Thursday night for the Leamington Flyers he became a second-generation Flyer. His dad Kevin is bench boss for the Windsor Lancers but once coached the Flyers.

"It's pretty cool that I can play in the organization he used to coach. I know he'll be out here. It's not today but it'll be next Thursday or the one after that." said Hamlin, whose dad is on a scouting trip in Minnesota.

The Windsor native, who is committed to playing NCAA D1 hockey at Mercyhurst University, was set to play in Maryland for the Black Bears of the NAHL this season but things didn't work out. Hamlin contemplated heading back to British Columbia where he spent two season in the BCHL with the Coquitlam Express but decided playing closer to home after three years away would be his best option.

"For me to get the opportunity to come back and play the Jr. A level it's great because I don't have to move away from home, friends and family." said Hamlin. "They (Mercyhurst) were excited for me to play Jr. A at home."

The 20-year old had a lot of friends and family in the crowd during the Flyers 4-1 loss to the defending OJHL champion Collingwood Blues Thursday night. Cameron Arquette opened the scoring at 8:09 giving Leamington a 1-0 lead. The Blues scored two goals in less than two minutes midway through the second period and never looked back.

Despite the setback Hamlin looks forward to playing a full season with the Flyers and some of his close friends. "I'm happy to reunite with those guys and we're trying to win, like these guys in Leamington love to win so hopefully we can do that and hopefully I can help."

Thursday's loss was the first of the season for the Flyers who fall to 2-1-1. Their next game is at home next Thursday against Burlington before heading on the road for two straight in Milton.

Hear from Ray in the following video.

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