Jesse Hammill 1997 - 1998, 2000 - 2005
Playing Participant in the Legends of Peterborough event March 16th 2008

Jesse was brought to Peterborough at the start of the 1997/98 season by new coach Troy Walkington and his modest Junior “A” background made him a relative unknown amongst a roster of high profile players. Playing well down the lines, Jesse first grabbed attention when being thrown onto the ice by coach Walkington as the team’s enforcer, not a role he had initially expected to take on.

Being new not only to the UK but to this new role as tough guy, Jesse took a fair number of poundings from guys considerably bigger and with greater prowess in the role. However, what endeared Jesse to his new fans was the fact that he threw himself into every clash, no matter how daunting, with real determination and when he got knocked down yet again …… he just got up and went back in.

Jesse very quickly established himself as a cult hero in Peterborough with young kids arguing about who was going to be Jesse Hammill. Equally, Jesse proved himself a fast learner and by season’s end had not only registered five goals for his side but had established himself as one of the league’s better enforcers as he started to come out on top in some of his 149 PIMs inspired clashes.

After Pirates suffered a poor and indisciplined start to the following season, Jesse was released along with a number of players and played at both Milton Keynes and Paisley before making a hugely popular return to Pirates during the 2000/01 season. By now, the tough and feisty youngster had matured not only into a half decent hockey player but into a very capable and well respected enforcer, capable of going with and handling any tough guy that took liberties with his team mates.

Jesse soon re-established his huge popularity with the fanbase and developed into a player averaging two points a game as well as one who stood up for his team mates whenever needed. Jesse’s last season with Phantoms was 2004/05 after which he took on the role of player-coach at Solihull before returning to Peterborough as player-coach of the Islanders, where he is currently leading his side to a trophy winning season.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest characters in the 25 year history of Peterborough hockey. A player who wore his heart on his sleeve, who believed in making his passion visible and who never understood the concept of giving less than 110%. A fans player and, of all the legends who skate out on 16th March, it is unlikely any will get a greater and more heart-felt cheer than Jesse Hammill will.