Chris Clark (ice hockey)

Chris Clark

Clark with the Washington Capitals in a 2007 game against the Atlanta Thrashers
Born (1976-03-08) March 8, 1976
South Windsor, CT, USA
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for Calgary Flames
Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets
National team  United States
NHL Draft 77th overall, 1994
Calgary Flames
Playing career 19982011

Chris Clark (born March 8, 1976) is a retired professional ice hockey Right Winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Playing career

College

Clark played four years for the Clarkson Golden Knights in the ECAC (NCAA Division I), posting 128 points (63 goals, 65 assists) and 392 penalty minutes in 142 games. He was named to the ECAC Second All-Star team in 1998.[1]

Professional

Clark was drafted in the third round, 77th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Clark played five seasons with the Flames. In his final season with the team, he played in every game and helped the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, which they lost to Tampa Bay.

Clark was traded to the Washington Capitals as a restricted free agent on August 4, 2005, in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2006 Entry Draft. In January 2006, he joined the Capitals' top line, which also included left wing Alexander Ovechkin and center Dainius Zubrus. Clark finished his first season in Washington with career highs in goals, assists, and points. The Capitals named Clark their new team captain on September 13, 2006.[2] Playing on the top line, Clark had a career year in goals (30), assists (24) and points (54) during the 2006–07 season.

Clark was injured in the third period of a 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on November 28, 2007, and missed the next eighteen games with a strained groin muscle. Clark returned to the lineup on February 13, 2008, but played only one shift against the Philadelphia Flyers. Clark kicked out his skate in an attempt to stop a pass when he aggravated the groin injury. Clark missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs.

After suffering a wrist injury in February 2009, Clark required surgery which ended his 2008-2009 season.[3] Clark skated with the team during the pre game skate before game five of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoff game against the New York Rangers, but did not return until Game 7, taking the place of then-teammate Donald Brashear, who was suspended for six games after his late hit on Blair Betts.

On December 28, 2009, Clark, along with defenseman Milan Jurcina, was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for winger Jason Chimera.[4]

Clark was the third longest tenured captain in the history of the Washington Capitals, behind only Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway and Dale Hunter.[5]

During the 2011 off season Clark accepted a try-out invitation from the Boston Bruins.[6] Despite having an impressive pre-season, he was released from the Bruins training camp on October 5, 2011 without a contract.[7]

On November 3, 2011, Clark was signed to a professional tryout agreement with the Providence Bruins.[8] Clark was released by the Providence Bruins on November 21, 2011 after six games due to the fact he failed to score a point during his tryout period.[9]

Retirement

After he was released by the Providence Bruins, Clark took up a scouting position within the Blue Jackets organization for the remainder of the season before being named as the team's development coach.[10]

International play

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout Clark continued his career in Europe. First Clark played through a short stint with Swiss team SC Bern, then with Norwegian outfit Storhamar Dragons.

In 2007 Clark was chosen as the captain of the USA hockey team for the World Championships, where he scored two goals and added an assist in six games.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1994–95 Clarkson University ECAC 32 12 11 23 92
1995–96 Clarkson University ECAC 38 10 8 18 106
1996–97 Clarkson University ECAC 37 23 25 48 86
1997–98 Clarkson University ECAC 35 18 21 39 106
1998–99 Saint John Flames AHL 73 13 27 40 123 7 2 4 6 15
1999–00 Saint John Flames AHL 48 16 17 33 134
1999–00 Calgary Flames NHL 22 0 1 1 14
2000–01 Saint John Flames AHL 48 18 17 35 131 18 4 10 14 39
2000–01 Calgary Flames NHL 29 5 1 6 38
2001–02 Calgary Flames NHL 64 10 7 17 79
2002–03 Calgary Flames NHL 81 10 12 22 126
2003–04 Calgary Flames NHL 82 10 15 25 106 26 3 3 6 30
2004–05 SC Bern NLA 3 0 0 0 6
2004–05 Storhamar Dragons GET 15 10 4 14 86 7 4 4 8 14
2005–06 Washington Capitals NHL 78 20 19 39 110
2006–07 Washington Capitals NHL 74 30 24 54 66
2007–08 Washington Capitals NHL 18 5 4 9 43
2008–09 Washington Capitals NHL 32 1 5 6 32 8 1 0 1 8
2009–10 Washington Capitals NHL 38 4 11 15 27
2009–10 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 36 3 2 5 21
2010–11 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 53 5 10 15 38
2011–12 Providence Bruins AHL 6 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 607 103 111 214 700 34 4 3 7 38

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2002 United States WC 7th 7 2 0 2 6
2007 United States WC 5th 6 2 1 3 4
Senior totals 13 4 1 5 10

Awards and honors

Award Year
All-ECAC Hockey Rookie Team 1994–95
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team 1997–98

References

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jeff Halpern
Washington Capitals captain
200609
Succeeded by
Alexander Ovechkin
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