Semiahmoo Minor Hockey alum Andrew Hammond is set to make his first career start in the National Hockey League tonight (Wednesday).
Hammond, 27, is set to start between the pipes when the Ottawa Senators square off against the Montreal Canadiens.
Until his call-up to the NHL in late January, the Earl Marriott Secondary grad – and former Surrey Eagles netminder – has spent the season with the Senators' American Hockey League minor-league affiliate in Binghamton, NY.
Hammond – who was called up after Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson was hurt – did get a brief taste of NHL action earlier in the week, when he came off the bench in relief of starting goalie Robin Lehner, but Wednesday will be his first official start.
On Wednesday morning, Hammond told the Ottawa Citizen that his parents – Semiahmoo Peninsula residents – are "too nervous" to attend tonight's game, and will instead watch the game on TV.
Hammond has been in the Senators' organization since 2013, when he signed with the club as a free agent, upon the completion of his career at Bowling Green State University.
Hammmond – who began his junior-hockey career with the Westside Warriors – played 32 games for the Surrey Eagles during the 2007/08 season, before he was dealt to Vernon, where he helped lead the Vipers to a RBC Cup national championship before heading to the NCAA with Bowling Green State.
"Winning the Royal Bank Cup is still my best memory," Hammond told the Peace Arch News in 2013, after signing a two-year contract with the Senators.
"Signing with Ottawa is very exciting but I still haven't accomplished anything. My goal is to play in the NHL and all this does is give me an opportunity to get closer to that goal."