Brandt Clarke

Brandt Clarke
Clarke with the Ontario Reign in 2024
Born	(2003-02-09) February 9, 2003 (age 21) 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 Ontario Reign  (AHL) HC Nové Zámky
NHL draft	8th overall, 2021 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	2020–present

Brandt Clarke (born February 9, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted eighth overall by the Los Angeles 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]

Playing career

On April 6, 2019 and marking the end of his high-profile minor hockey career, ^[2] Clarke was drafted in the first round, fourth overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection to play major junior hockey with the Barrie Colts. ^[3] Playing as a rookie for the Barrie Colts in what turned out to be 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. ^[4] At the conclusion of the 2019–20 season, Clarke was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team, as selected by the OHL's General Managers. ^[5]

In the following season (2020–21) when the entire OHL regular season was cancelled due to COVID-19, Clarke was able to continue his development in Slovakia, playing with his brother Graeme 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. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

On July 23, 2021, Clarke was selected in the first-round, eighth overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. ^[9] Clarke was soon signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on August 10, 2021. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

In the 2022–23 NHL season, Clarke made his NHL regular-season debut for the Los Angeles Kings in a home game against the Seattle Kraken on October 13, 2022. ^[13] Clarke collected his first career NHL point, an assist, during a road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 20, 2022, making Clarke the seventh youngest defenceman and 18th youngest player in Kings history to record a point. ^[14] When in Los Angeles, Clarke – then the NHL's second-youngest defenseman during the 2022–23 season – billeted at the home of Jonathan Quick, the Kings' goaltender and oldest player at that time. ^[15] During the 2022–23 season, Clarke played 21 competitive games, split between the Kings (9 NHL games), Ontario Reign (5 AHL games) and Team Canada (7 IIHF World Junior Championship games), on top of 12 exhibition games at a variety of elite levels, before being re-assigned on January 6, 2023 by the Los Angeles Kings to the Barrie Colts for the remainder of the 2022–23 OHL season. ^{[16] [17]} Clarke earned 61 points in just 31 regular-season games with the Barrie Colts and he tied the franchise record for regular-season goals in a single season by a defenceman (23 goals) while also becoming the franchise's all-time regular-season scoring leader amongst defencemen (158 points). ^{[18] [19] [20]} He was subsequently named to both the OHL and CHL's First All-Star Teams. ^{[21] [22]}

Clarke played with the Ontario Reign for the bulk of the 2023–24 season. He and his brother Graeme were both selected for the 2024 AHL All-Star Game, the second pair of brothers to attend the game together after Peter and Chris Ferraro in 1997 and 2003. ^[23] He finished the regular season with 10 goals and 36 assists in 50 games, and was named to both the All-Rookie and Second All-Star Teams. ^{[24] [25]}

On February 17, 2024, Clarke scored his first NHL goal, an overtime goal, to give the Kings a 5–4 victory over the Boston Bruins. ^[26] He appeared in sixteen games with the Kings during the 2023–24 season, registering two goals and four assists. ^[25]

International play

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2023 Canada
World U18 Championships
	2021 United States

Clarke won Gold playing for Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, averaging a point-per-game. ^[27] The tournament was held in Frisco, Texas, USA from April 26, 2021 to May 6, 2021. Clarke was named to the tournament All-Star team, as selected by the media. ^{[28] [29]}

Clarke was selected to participate in Hockey Canada's National Junior Team Summer Camp (held in Calgary, Alberta from July 23-27, 2022) for the 2023 National Junior Team that participated in the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships that was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada from December 26, 2022 to January 5, 2023. ^{[30] [31]} On December 7, 2022, it was announced that the L.A. Kings loaned Clarke to Canada’s world junior hockey team ahead of its Selection Camp for the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^{[32] [33]}

On December 12, 2022, Clarke was named to Team Canada to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[34] During the tournament, Clarke scored two goals and recorded six assists in seven games, including an assist on the final game-winning goal in overtime. ^[35] Team Canada won the gold medal in overtime against Czechia on January 5, 2023. ^[36]

Playing style

Clarke has been described as a high-quality defensive player with excellent defensive stick control and tactical positioning. He has been considered a new-era defenseman best known for his offensive capabilities and his eagerness and creativity while breaking out of the defensive zone and participating actively in the offensive zone. ^{[37] [38] [39] [40]}

Personal life

Clarke was born into an athletic family, as both his siblings and father have played ice hockey. His father Chris played junior hockey in Southern Ontario,^{[ citation needed ]} his sister Mackenzie plays for St. Lawrence University, and his older brother Graeme is currently a Minnesota Wild prospect. ^{[41] [42]}

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		33	19	35	54	22		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Barrie Colts	OHL		57	6	32	38	38		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	HC Nové Zámky	Slovak		26	5	10	15	41		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Barrie Colts	OHL		55	11	48	59	29		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		9	0	2	2	6		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Ontario Reign	AHL		5	1	1	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Barrie Colts	OHL		31	23	38	61	28		12	7	16	23	13
2023–24	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		16	2	4	6	10		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Ontario Reign	AHL		50	10	36	46	49		8	0	6	6	20
NHL totals				25	2	6	8	16		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019	Canada Black	U17	8th		5	1	5	6	2
2021	Canada	U18			7	2	5	7	0
2023	Canada	WJC			7	2	6	8	6
Junior totals					19	5	16	21	8

Awards and honours

Award	Year	Ref
CHL
First All-Star Team	2023	[22]
OHL
First All-Rookie Team	2020	[43]
Second All-Star Team	2022	[44]
First All-Star Team	2023	[21]
International
U18 All-Star Team	2021	[45]
AHL
AHL All-Star Game	2024	[23]
All-Rookie Team	2024	[24]
Second All-Star Team	2024	[25]

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. COULTER, SHANNON (December 31, 2022). "REUNITING THE DON MILLS FLYERS - They were members of the talented Don Mills Flyers team, and now minor hockey teammates Brandt Clarke, Brennan Othmann and Shane Wright are together again at the World Juniors". Hockey Canada. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
3. "2019 OHL Priority Selection First Round Recap". Ontario Hockey League. April 6, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
4. QUIGLEY, RYAN (October 8, 2020). "A way-too-early look at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft". Broad Street Hockey. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
5. "2019-20 OHL All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. May 27, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
6. KUZMA, BEN (July 22, 2021). "Canucks: Is there a case for an offensive defenceman with ninth-overall draft pick?". The Province, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
7. "The Internet Hockey Database - Brandt Clarke". HockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
8. SACHDEVA, SONNY (July 14, 2021). "Prospect of Interest: Why a lost OHL season made Brandt Clarke even better". Sportsnet, a division of Rogers Media Inc. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
9. "LA Kings Select Brandt Clarke 8th Overall in 2021 Draft". Los Angeles Kings. July 23, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
10. "LA Kings sign defenseman Brandt Clarke to three-year contract". Los Angeles Kings. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
11. ELLIS, STEVEN (August 11, 2021). "What the LA Kings are Getting in Brandt Clarke". The Hockey News. The Hockey News, a division of Roustan Media Ltd. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
12. "CapFriendly.com - Brandt Clarke". CapFriendly.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
13. "CHL to NHL: Clarke, Johnston play first NHL game". Canadian Hockey League (CHL). October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
14. DOOLEY, ZACH (October 20, 2022). "FINAL – Kings 1, Penguins 6 – Kopitar, McLellan". LA Kings Insider, owned and/or operated by or on behalf of Anschutz Entertainment Group. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
15. STOLLER, JACOB (December 14, 2022). "Brandt Clarke Prepares to Prove Himself at World Juniors and Beyond". The Hockey News. The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
16. "Kings re-assign defenceman Brandt Clarke to OHL's Barrie Colts". Sportsnet. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
17. DOOLEY, ZACH (January 8, 2023). "Kings General Manager Rob Blake talks Brandt Clarke, Decision To Loan Him To OHL". LA Kings Insider, owned and/or operated by or on behalf of Anschutz Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
18. "Barrie Colts - All Time Regular Season Player Stats". Elite Prospects. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
19. KIMELMAN, ADAM (March 25, 2023). "CHL notebook: Kings prospect Clarke has scoring surge with Barrie - Defenseman making most of return to OHL after starting season with Los Angeles". National Hockey League (NHL). Retrieved March 28, 2023.
20. CAMPBELL, KEN (March 28, 2023). "Brandt Clarke turned around the Barrie Colts' season. He's not your typical NHL returnee to junior hockey. -- LA Kings prospect had 23 goals and 61 points in 31 games, finishing fourth among OHL defenceman in goals and fifth in points despite playing half a season". The Toronto Star . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
21. "OHL Announces 2022-23 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
22. "2022-23 CHL All-Star Teams announced". Canadian Hockey League. June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
23. "Rosters announced for 2024 AHL All-Star Classic". AHL.com. American Hockey League. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
24. "2023-24 All-Rookie Team named". American Hockey League. April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
25. "2023-24 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled". American Hockey League. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
26. "Kings vs. Bruins (Feb 17, 2024) Live Score". ESPN. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
27. SEARS, ETHAN (July 23, 2021). "Kings stay put in NHL draft and land defenseman Brandt Clarke with eighth pick". LA Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
28. JENNINGS, COLLIN (November 19, 2021). "Brandt Clarke Hockey Canada U18 Championship Ring Ceremony". Barrie Colts. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
29. "IIHF U-18 History - Media All-Star Teams". Hockey Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
30. "Rosters Named for Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp and Canada's National Junior Team Summer Camp". Hockey Canada. June 16, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
31. "National Junior Team Summer Camp Roster". Hockey Canada. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
32. "Kings lend defenceman Brandt Clarke to Canada's world junior team". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
33. DOOLEY, ZACH (December 7, 2022). "LA Kings loan Brandt Clarke to Team Canada's National Junior Team". LA Kings Insider, by Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
34. Kimelman, Adam (December 12, 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
35. "IIHF 2023 World Junior Championship - Player Stats". International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Retrieved January 8, 2023.
36. MCGRAN, KEVIN (January 5, 2023). "Canada prevails against Czechia in overtime to defend world junior gold". The Toronto Star. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
40. STANOVICH, AUSTIN (January 6, 2022). "Los Angeles Kings' Top 10 Prospects – January 2022". The Hockey Writers, owned and operated by Bruce K. Hollingdrake. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
41. "Mackenzie Clarke at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
42. LOMON, CHRIS (October 27, 2022). "Rookie Brandt Clarke Credits Older Brother Graeme For On-Ice Success". National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). Retrieved October 28, 2022.
43. "Awards - OHL First All-Rookie Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
44. "OHL Announces 2021-22 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
45. "Awards - U18 WJC All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 14, 2022.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Quinton Byfield	Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick 2021	Succeeded by Incumbent