Cliff Pu

Last updated

Cliff Pu
Cliff Pu - London Knights.jpg
Pu with the London Knights in 2016
Born (1998-06-03) June 3, 1998 (age 25)
North York, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
KHL team
Former teams
Admiral Vladivostok
Kunlun Red Star
NHL Draft 69th overall, 2016
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2018present

Clifford Pu (born June 3, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for Admiral Vladivostok of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected 69th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Youth

Pu played at the AAA hockey level since the Atom age group. He was named an International Silverstick Atom AAA All Star in 2009. In his final year of minor ice hockey, he played for the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA team. He was seen as one of the top prospects in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection after finishing 4th on his team in points. [2]

Junior

Pu was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection by the Oshawa Generals. [3] [4] He appeared in 17 games with the Generals, scoring two goals and adding an assist. [5] On January 1, 2015, Pu was traded to the London Knights along with Josh Sterk and three draft picks, in exchange for Michael McCarron and Dakota Mermis. [6] In the 24 games he appeared in for the Knights following the trade, Pu scored four goals and added two assists.

In his first full season with the Knights, Pu recorded 12 goals and 19 assists. In the following season, he greatly improved on his totals, leading the Knights in regular season scoring. [7] On January 3, 2018, the Knights traded Pu to the Kingston Frontenacs for Nathan Dunkley and draft picks. [8]

Professional

In 2016, Cliff Pu became eligible for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 83rd ranked North American skater by the NHL's Scouting Service. [9] He was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres. On October 23, 2017, Pu signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres. [10]

Pu was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on August 2, 2018, along with future draft picks (2019 second-round, and 2020 third-round and a sixth-round) in exchange for forward Jeff Skinner. [11]

After attending the Hurricanes' 2018 training camp, Pu was assigned to begin the 2018–19 season, with Carolina's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He struggled to translate his offensive game to the professional level and was re-assigned to ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, on February 9, 2019. After scoring at a point-per-game through five appearances with the Everblades, Pu was returned to the AHL. Having contributed with one goal and five assist for six points in 44 games with Charlotte, Pu was traded by the Hurricanes to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations, which correlated with the Checkers' acquisition of Tomáš Jurčo, on February 25, 2019. [12]

On October 8, 2020, Pu was traded for the third time during his entry-level contract by the Panthers to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Markus Nutivaara. [13]

With his contract concluded with the Blue Jackets, Pu was not tendered a qualifying offer and was released as a free agent. On August 13, 2021, with limited opportunity in North America, he embarked on a European career in agreeing to a one-year contract with Austrian club, the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League. [14]

Personal life

Pu was born in North York, Ontario and was raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2012–13 Toronto Marlboros GTMMHL332324471016413174
2014–15 Oshawa Generals OHL 172132
2014–15 London Knights OHL24246250000
2015–16 London KnightsOHL63121931241885136
2016–17 London KnightsOHL6335518636142578
2017–18 London KnightsOHL3616294522
2017–18 Kingston Frontenacs OHL29132639615413176
2018–19 Charlotte Checkers AHL 4415610
2018–19 Florida Everblades ECHL 52350
2018–19 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL91120
2019–20 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL100224
2019–20 Greenville Swamp Rabbits ECHL41562
2020–21 Cleveland Monsters AHL1637106
2021–22 Kunlun Red Star KHL 153366
2022–23 Kunlun Red StarKHL411192034
2023–24 Kunlun Red StarKHL2918912
2023–24 Admiral Vladivostok KHL241566
AHL totals795152020
KHL totals10916254158

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014 Canada Black U17 7th51012
Junior totals51012

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Staal</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)

Eric Craig Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, and Montreal Canadiens. Eric is the oldest of the Staal brothers, which includes former teammates Marc, Jordan, and Jared.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Campbell</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1979)

Brian Wesley Campbell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for the Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, assisting on the deciding goal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Syvret</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Danny Syvret is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 59 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Syvret was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Boyes</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1982)

Bradley Keith Boyes is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who spent thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of seven different teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Staal</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Jared John Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is an assistant coach for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Harrison</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1982)

Jay Harrison is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie McGinn</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

James Robert McGinn IV is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the San Jose Sharks of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He skated in over 600 NHL games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Dalpe</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Zac Dalpe is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 45th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008, Dalpe played in the British Columbia Hockey League and Central Collegiate Hockey Association before turning professional.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Trocheck</span> American ice hockey player (born 1993)

Vincent Trocheck is an American professional ice hockey center for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Ekblad</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1996)

Aaron Ekblad is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Ekblad was selected first overall in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) entry draft, and he was selected first overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut that year. In his first NHL season, Ekblad was selected for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie in the 2014–15 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Domi</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Maxwell Johannes Domi is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remi Elie</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Remi Elie is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Nedeljkovic</span> American ice hockey player (born 1996)

Alexander Nedeljkovic is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nedeljkovic was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Baptiste</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Nicholas Baptiste is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for Tappara in the Liiga. Baptiste was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olli Juolevi</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1998)

Olli Juolevi is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently on a one-month contract with Timrå IK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was selected fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Born and raised in Finland, Juolevi developed in the Jokerit program before he moved to North America to play major junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s London Knights in 2015. After one season with London, he was drafted by the Canucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Thomas (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Robert Thomas is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Bouchard</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Evan Bouchard is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bouchard was selected 10th overall by the Oilers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolas Hague</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)

Nicolas "Nic" Hague is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hague was selected 34th overall by the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Brown (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Joshua Brown is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utah NHL team of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the sixth round, 152nd overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to joining Utah, Brown played for the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and the Arizona Coyotes.

Riley Stillman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. "OHL Network". www.ontariohockeyleague.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  2. "Cliff Pu". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  3. "2014 OHL Priority Selection". Ontario Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  4. "OHL Network". www.ontariohockeyleague.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  5. "London Knights". londonknights.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  6. "Knights Trade McCarron and Mermis to Oshawa" . Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  7. "London Knights". londonknights.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  8. "London Knights trade Cliff Pu to Kingston Frontenacs". lfpress.ca. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  9. "2016 Draft Prospect Rankings". www.nhl.com. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  10. "Sabres sign Pu to entry-level contract". NHL.com. October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  11. Williams, Terrell (August 2, 2018). "Canes Deal Skinner to Sabres for Picks, Prospect". NHL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  12. "Florida Panthers acquire Forward Cliff Pu from Hurricanes". Florida Panthers. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  13. "CBJ acquire Cliff Pu from Florida in exchange for Markus Nutivaara". Columbus Blue Jackets. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  14. "Cliff Pu signs with Capitals" (in German). Vienna Capitals. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.