The questions had already came from the locals.

So, when the visiting Boston media made a beeline for Dougie Hamilton’s stall at the Scotiabank Saddledome at approximately 12:15 p.m. MT — hoping to grill the former Boston Bruins defender about various things including playing his old mates for the first time since his trade on Friday night — he pulled his hat down low, sat comfortably in the Calgary Flames dressing room, and faced the music.

“It’s different, definitely an adjustment,” Hamilton was saying when asked about the transition to becoming a Flame and, in general, living in Calgary. “I’m starting to get more comfortable and used to the system and building everything on the ice and getting to know the city off the ice.”

After Wednesday’s practice, Hamilton had been asked about what the whole experience would be like for the 22-year-old to play his old pals and against the team that drafted/traded him.

Hamilton had downplayed the subject but Bob Hartley hinted that he knew what he’s going through when the Flames head coach pointed out that former Bruin/Colorado Avalanche Ray Bourque was “shaking like a leaf” in his first game back in Boston.

But, on this day, Hamilton — more relaxed and prepared — acknowledged the changes and challenges of joining a new team, facing his old one, and also politely answered questions about his departure in Boston.

For example, what the heck happened?

“Things change quick,” said Hamilton who was selected ninth overall by the Bruins in the 2011 NHL draft. “There’s not really much more to say. It didn’t work out.

“And that’s it.”

Did he not want to be in Boston, despite reports that the Bruins wanted him back?

(Rewind to June, 2015, when Bruins GM Don Sweeney had been quoted in the media saying they had made “a very significant contract offer” to him “and it didn’t lead us to where we thought we’d be able to (sign him).” Later in the summer, Brad Treliving, who made a splash by trading Calgary’s 15th, 45th, and 52nd picks for Hamilton at the 2015 NHL draft, would ink him to a $34.5-million contract over the next six years).

“I enjoyed my time in Boston,” Hamilton continued. “I reflect on it now and look back on it and I’m thankful for, I think, everything. I got an opportunity to play (in the NHL) and played with a lot of great players, and learned from a lot of good coaches.

“Looking back, I was really lucky to have that opportunity from them.”

What about speculation in Boston that Hamilton didn’t get along with people in the Bruins dressing room?

“Yeah, I don’t pay attention to that,” he said. “You can’t look into that stuff. For me, I know the truth and you can’t really look into what people say about you. You just try not to look into it too much.”

Did you feel comfortable in that room?

“Yeah, I did,” Hamilton said. “I’m looking forward to seeing those guys (Thursday) and I’ll talk to a couple of them — all of them — and see how they’re doing. It’s going to be weird to play against them.”

Oh, and one more crack at it … What the heck happened with his departure from Boston?

“I think ever since I got drafted, it was my vision and dream to be a Bruin for life,” Hamilton said. “I loved being in Boston, playing at the Garden and wearing that jersey. It’s definitely kind of weird when it happens and it changes so quick. I still have a lot of pictures of myself in the Bruins jersey and enjoy those moments and memories … but I’m enjoying this new chapter in my life.”

And the start of the 2015-16 National Hockey League season hasn’t been easy.

But it hasn’t been for the Calgary Flames, either.

Hamilton went a minus-11 in his first 13 games and had two goals and an assist. Meanwhile, his new club went 3-9-1 in that span.

In the following 12 games? Hamilton has been a plus-five with two assists and a goal — Tuesday’s equalizer in a 4-3 shootout win over the visiting Dallas Stars.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving was asked about Hamilton’s progress.

He pointed to Tuesday’s performance as a shining example of his improvement.

“Like a lot of our team, I think there’s been a lot of inconsistency — some good, some not so good,” Treliving said. “Then I think it’s stabilized. I think it’s safe to say that the Dallas game was his best as a Calgary Flame. And not just his goal (but) his defensive play, he moved the puck, he was involved. Hopefully we can continue to build on that. He’s still a young player trying to build some confidence in his game, but I’ve liked his game as of late.”

Treliving defended his investment in the player — to the Boston media, too — pointing out that the Flames knew that Hamilton would face ups and downs.

“We said it at the time of getting him,” Treliving said. “There was a lot of talk and excitement — and deservedly so — about him coming here. What we’ve tried to say all along, ‘This is still a young player.’ He’s still finding his way in the league. His game is still growing. So we look at him not in terms of 10, 20 games, but we look for him to be an important player for this team for a long time.”

kodland@calgaryherald.com

Twitter.com/KristenOdlandCH