He started out with the junior Peterborough Petes, a Montreal Canadiens farm team from 1956–59 and then with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens from 1959-63. He played one game with the Canadiens in the 1961-62 season. The Canadiens then dealt him to the Hershey Bears with whom Hamilton spent eight years (1963–71). He did miss the entire 1970-71 season due to a broken leg and was then traded to the St. Louis Blues. Hamilton played three games for the Blues in 1972-73 (scoring two assists) and then retired. He was the coach of the Hershey Bears from 1974-79.