Turning professional in the 2001–02 season, Clemmensen made his NHL debut in New Jersey's season-opening 6–1 loss to the Washington Capitals,[3] and played in two games for the Devils, while playing the majority of his professional rookie season with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Devils' minor league affiliate. He remained for the following three seasons in Albany, competing with fellow Devils' goaltending prospect Ari Ahonen for starts. In 2003–04, Clemmensen was called up and appeared in four games for the Devils, posting a 1.01 goals against average (GAA). He received his first NHL start against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 20, 2004, winning 3–0.[4] In doing so, Clemmensen became the first player in NHL history to have been born in the state of Iowa.[5]
Clemmensen in 2009
Following the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Clemmensen became Martin Brodeur's permanent backup, appearing in 13 games (starting in nine) and posting a 3.35 GAA during the 2005–06 season. The following year, he appeared in six games in relief of Brodeur, recording a 3.14 GAA. In the off-season, Clemmensen became a free agent and after the Devils signed Kevin Weekes to back up Brodeur, Clemmensen signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 6, 2007.[6] He played the majority of the 2007–08 season splitting starts with Maple Leafs' Justin Pogge with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, while appearing in three games for the Maple Leafs. He made his first start with the Maple Leafs on January 1, 2008, as the result of an injury to starter Vesa Toskala, and recorded a 4–3 shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[7] Going into the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs back with the Marlies, Clemmensen assumed the starting role over Pogge and helped the club to the Western Conference semifinals against the Chicago Wolves, where they were eliminated in five games.
Clemmensen with his old number #35
On July 10, 2008, Clemmensen returned to the New Jersey Devils, signing a one-year contract.[8] He started the 2008–09 season with New Jersey's new AHL affiliate, the Lowell Devils. However, when Brodeur suffered a major injury early in the season, Clemmensen was called up to backup second-string goaltender Kevin Weekes. However, as Weekes struggled in his early starts following Brodeur's injury, Clemmensen took over and started the majority of the games in Brodeur's absence. On February 25, 2009, Brodeur was taken off the injured reserve and Clemmensen was sent back to the Lowell Devils.[9] In 40 games, Clemmensen posted a 25–13–1 record and two shutouts. His 25 wins are the highest total by a goaltender besides Brodeur in franchise history, while his 2.39 GAA and .917 save percentage were statistically in the league's top ten. He was awarded the Devils' Unsung Hero Award, as voted by his teammates,[10] and was also selected as the Devils' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.[11] He was not, however, retained as one of the league's three finalists.[12] In April 2009, Clemmensen was called up once again, this time to backup Brodeur for the 2009 playoffs after an injury to Weekes.
Clemmensen signed with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2009.[13] On November 3, 2011, the Panthers loaned Clemmensen, who suffered a knee injury in the pre-season, to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL for conditioning purposes.[citation needed] He eventually reunited with former Devils teammate, John Madden in 2012, helping the Panthers clinch the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. On July 1, 2012, he was signed to a two-year contract extension by the Panthers.[14]
On July 1, 2014, Clemmensen returned to his original club, the New Jersey Devils as a free agent on a one-year contract.[15] On June 30, 2015, Clemmensen ended his professional career but remained with the Devils in accepting a development goaltending coach role.[16][17]In 2021, he was made the team's Director of Goaltending Development.[18]
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