Rebels captain Beckett Hamilton returns to Red Deer

Rebels captain Beckett Hamilton returns to Red Deer

Published 9:50 am Thursday, September 24, 2026

Scoring a goal in his first-ever National Hockey League preseason game is a moment Red Deer Rebels captain Beckett Hamilton won’t soon forget.

Hamilton scored in the Colorado Avalanche’s 4-1 preseason win over the Utah Mammoth on Sunday, Sept. 20. NHL All-Star Martin Necas forced a turnover and slid the puck to Hamilton, who shovelled a one-timer past the sprawling Utah goaltender and into the back of the net.

“It happened pretty fast. One second you’re thinking that you’re backchecking, but then you get a back-door tap-in. It was a great play by Necas,” Hamilton recalled.

“It felt pretty cool. It’s a pretty surreal moment hearing the horn, and looking around and seeing the fans. It was pretty insane. … I’m still chasing the first regular season goal. That’s next.”

Hamilton, who was selected by Colorado in Round 3 of the 2026 NHL Draft, said his training camp experience with the Avalanche helped him develop as a player.

“It was unreal. I was down there for a while and got to learn a lot,” he said.

“At the same time I’m excited to be back (in Red Deer) and see all the guys again. I’m excited to get going.”

The five-foot-11, 170-pound centre is coming off a breakout Western Hockey League campaign. He led the Rebels in goals (24) and assists (38) in the 2025-26 regular season. He then added five points in five postseason games. He also represented Canada at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship this past summer, scoring three goals in five games.

This past April, Hamilton was named the 30th captain in Red Deer Rebels franchise history. The Saskatoon, Sask., native said he’s not taking his leadership role lightly.

“With an organization like this and with (Rebels owner, president and general manager Brent Sutter) having trust in me, it’s a huge honour. I take that with lots of pride,” said Hamilton.

During training camp in Colorado, Hamilton learned a lot from Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.

“There are so many things he does that I want to take from him. He’s had unbelievable experience being a captain in the league. He’s also a winning captain, which is huge,” said Hamilton

“I would take everything he does on and off the ice — the way he holds everyone accountable, including himself. He helps everyone out. If you need anything, he’s always the guy to go to. He knows the answers and he’s there for everyone. I’m trying to be like that as well this year. He was an unbelievable example.”