BOSTON (CBS) — When new Bruins GM Don Sweeney traded talented young defenseman Dougie Hamilton to Calgary back in June, the reaction in Boston was not one of complete shock but one of befuddlement.

Hamilton reportedly turned down multiple contract offers from the Bruins that would pay him roughly the same or more money than he’s making in Calgary. So what, exactly, was the problem?

While we might never get the full story, a report this week certainly sheds some light on a curious situation.

Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox said on Sportsnet this week that Dougie Hamilton wanted the Bruins to trade for his older brother, Freddie. The team’s refusal to sign Freddie was among the many issues that irked Dougie enough to make him want to leave the Bruins organization at all costs.

“The speculation is that among the issues Hamilton had with the Bruins was the fact he wanted them to acquire the rights to his brother, Freddie, and Boston either couldn’t or wouldn’t,” Cox wrote.

The rumor is likely surfacing now because the Calgary Flames, Dougie Hamilton’s current team, acquired Freddie Hamilton at the beginning of the month.

In 29 career NHL games with San Jose and Colorado, the elder Hamilton has just one goal. So it’s highly unlikely he’s a player the Flames really coveted.

Nevertheless, Flames GM Brad Treliving assured Cox that he had never heard the rumor, and so it lives on in rumor status.

Dougie Hamilton has one goal, no assists, and a minus-11 rating in nine games for his new team. The Flames are 2-7-0, owners of the second-worst record and second-worst goal differential in the entire NHL.