Chris Clark is remembered as one of the premier forwards in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) during the late 1990s. Known for his aggressive style of play, tallying 392 career penalty minutes, Clark was a big, strong power forward with a nasty streak.
His aggressive style of play (392 career penalty minutes) made him one of the top enforcers in the ECAC and an invaluable asset to the Green and Gold’s success. He added a lot of character to the Golden Knights, providing Clarkson with leadership and a determined effort every game.
Collegiate Career at Clarkson University
Clark played four years for the Clarkson Golden Knights in the ECAC (NCAA Division I), recording 128 points (63 goals and 65 assists) and 392 penalty minutes in 142 games. He helped lead Clarkson to a 98-39-10 overall record, two ECAC Regular Season Championships, and four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his four-year career. He scored the big goals, made the nifty pass, and connected for some punishing checks.
SENIOR YEAR (1997-98)
Clark was honored with Clarkson's Bill Harrison Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Knights to a 23-9-3 overall record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament while serving as a co-captain. The Green and Gold's leading scorer, he recorded 39 points on 18 goals and 21 assists through 35 games. Specifically, the Knights went 20-3-2 when he recorded a point. He was selected as a second-team ECAC All-Star and skated in the Eastern College Senior All-Star Game.
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He was named ECAC Player of the Week three times (12/8, 1/19, 3/2) and chosen once to the league's weekly Honor Roll (2/9). He tallied six power-play goals, one shorthanded marker at RPI (2/13), and four game-winners, including the decisive goal with 5.6 seconds left in a 3-2 victory at Brown (2/27). Clark recorded his second career hat trick in a 4-3 win at Dartmouth (1/16) and enjoyed a five-point weekend (2-3) in the sweep of Vermont (2/6) and Dartmouth (2/7) at Cheel Arena. He closed out the regular season with an 11-game point-scoring streak, accumulating 17 points (8-9) during that span and tallied three points (1-2) in postseason action. Ultimately, he led the team in penalties, equalling a career-high 106 minutes.
JUNIOR YEAR (1996-97)
Clark was a 1997 ECAC honorable mention All-Star and earned Clarkson’s Most Improved Player Award. He was perhaps the hottest goal scorer in the country through the 1997 portion of the season, producing 18 goals in the first 19 games of the new year. Third overall on Clarkson in scoring with 48 points (23-25), he finished fourth in the ECAC with 34 points (16-18). He celebrated his 21st birthday in style, scoring two goals and one assist in the 4-1 ECAC quarterfinal win over Yale (3/8) and tallied five points (2-3) in five postseason games. Clark recorded four points, including three goals, in the weekend sweep at Cheel of Harvard (2/21) and Brown (2/22). He figured in on both goals in the 2-0 win at Yale (2/15), scoring a goal and an assist, and had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Union (2/7). He had eight power-play goals and five game-winners and posted his first career hat trick in a 5-2 win over Cornell (1/4). Clark recorded the fastest goal in Clarkson history when he opened the Knights’ 7-4 victory at arch-rival St.
NHL Career
Clark was drafted in the third round, 77th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played five seasons with the Flames.
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. He scored 20 goals and 19 assists (39 points) with the Capitals in his first season, playing alongside rookie Alexander Ovechkin.
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During his time with the Capitals, Clark was named team captain.
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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 18 games with a strained groin muscle. He returned to the lineup on February 13, 2008, but played only one shift against the Philadelphia Flyers when he aggravated the groin injury.
Clark was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The trade marked a new chapter in his NHL career.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout Clark continued his career in Europe.
Later Career and Post-Playing Days
After his NHL career, Clark remained involved in hockey. He accepted a tryout invitation from the Boston Bruins but was later released. He also signed with the Providence Bruins of the AHL before being released.
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Clark transitioned into management, becoming the General Manager of the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL. This role allowed him to continue contributing to the sport and develop his skills in team management.
Here is a summary of Chris Clark's NHL statistics:
| Season | Team | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points | Penalty Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ... | Various Teams | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| Total | 556 | 94 | 111 | 205 | 734 |
