Brandt Clarke

Brandt Clarke (born February 9, 2003) is a Canadian junior ice hockey defenceman for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and he is a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted eighth overall by the Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In November 2021, Brandt was named Captain of the Barrie Colts for the 2021-22 OHL season, becoming the 22nd captain in Colts history.[1]

Brandt Clarke
Born (2003-02-09) February 9, 2003
Nepean, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams		 Los Angeles Kings
Barrie Colts (OHL)
HC Nové Zámky
NHL Draft 8th overall, 2021
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2020–present

Playing career

Clarke was originally drafted fourth overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection to play major junior hockey with the Barrie Colts. In the COVID-19-shortened 2019–20 season, Clarke led all rookie OHL defensemen, scoring six goals and 32 assists and he was considered a lock to go in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

In the following season when the entire OHL regular season was cancelled due to COVID-19, Clarke opted to continue his development by playing professional mens hockey in Slovakia, on loan to HC Nové Zámky of the Tipsport Liga, scoring five goals with ten assists while playing a partial season of only 26 games.[3][4]

After his selection in the first-round, eighth overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Clarke was soon signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on August 11, 2021.[5][6]

Clarke is a high-quality defensive player with excellent defensive stick control and tactical positioning; however, he is a new-era defenseman best known for his offensive capabilities and his eagerness and creativity while breaking out of the defensive zone and while participating actively in the offensive zone.[7][8][9]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
2021 Canada

Clarke won Gold playing for Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, averaging a point-per-game.[10]

Personal life

Clarke is the younger brother of New Jersey Devils prospect Graeme Clarke.[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2018–19 Don Mills Flyers GTHL 3319355422 —————
2019–20 Barrie Colts OHL 576323838 —————
2020–21 HC Nové Zámky Slovak 265101541 —————
Slovak totals 265101541 —————

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2019 Canada Black U17 8th 51562
2021 Canada U18 72570
Junior totals 12310132

Awards and honours
Award Year
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2020
International
U18 All-Star Team 2021

References
  1. WEESE, LUKAS (November 20, 2021). "Inside the OHL: Brandt Clarke (with a C) leads the Colts and breaks the ice with the Kings". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  2. Quigley, Ryan. "A way-too-early look at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft". Broad Street Hockey. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. Kuzma, Ben. "Canucks: Is there a case for an offensive defenceman with ninth-overall draft pick?". The Province. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  4. "The Internet Hockey Database - Brandt Clarke". HockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  5. "LA Kings sign defenseman Brandt Clarke to three-year contract". Los Angeles Kings. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  6. "CapFriendly.com - Brandt Clarke". CapFriendly.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  7. WEESE, LUKAS (November 20, 2021). "Inside the OHL: Brandt Clarke (with a C) leads the Colts and breaks the ice with the Kings". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  8. FOLEY, GABRIEL (January 30, 2021). "2021 NHL Draft Top Prospect Brandt Clarke Could Be the Next Erik Karlsson". Last Word on Sports (LWOS). Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  9. CHASE, WILLIAM (July 1, 2021). "2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Brandt Clarke the next big Blue Jackets D-man?". SB Nation - The Cannon - Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  10. SEARS, ETHAN. "Kings stay put in NHL draft and land defenseman Brandt Clarke with eighth pick". LA Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  11. MacLennan, Ian. "COLTS' BRANDT CLARKE PICKED BY LA KINGS IN OPENING ROUND OF NHL DRAFT". Barrie 360. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
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