Signed by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a teenager, Hamilton spent his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

He met with great success in juniors, being one of the rare players to play in the Memorial Cup tournament for three consecutive years.

[1] However, when the World Hockey Association began in 1972, Hamilton jumped over to the fledgling league, signing with the Alberta Oilers for their first season.

[2] Overcoming injuries that frequently struck—and which cost him most of the 1975 season—Hamilton remained the leader of the Oilers' defence corps for the whole of the WHA's history.

His son, Steve Hamilton (born 1973) is the current head coach with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.