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Wendel L. Clark (born October 25, 1966 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a former professional ice hockey player best known as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Clark served as the team's captain in the early 1990s.
Early Years
Clark was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1985 Entry Draft. His professional career lasted from 1985 until 2000, during which time he played for the Maple Leafs (during three separate stretches), Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks.
He was known for his emotional, physical play combined with scoring prowess. After his rookie season, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and finished second in voting for the Calder Trophy. The serious back injury that Clark suffered during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks in 1987 when he was cross-checked into the crossbar of his goal hindered his progress as an elite NHL player. Nonetheless, Clark was a crowd favourite and won a place in the hearts of Leaf fans as he provided a spark during the latter part of the Harold Ballard era, considered the darkest period in the storied franchise's history.
During the 1992-93 NHL season, Clark's second year captaining the team, the Leafs set team records in wins (44) and points (99). Toronto also made the playoffs for the first time in years. The Leafs had a memorable run to the Prince of Wales Conference Finals, but after leading the best-of-seven series three games to two lost to the Los Angeles Kings.
While Clark was known for grit and physical play (amassing 1,690 career penalty minutes), frequent injuries meant that he never played a full 82-game season. Nonetheless, he did manage an impressive 46 goals for the Leafs during the 1993-94 NHL season, playing on a line with Dave Andreychuk and Doug Gilmour. In the playoffs, the Leafs made a second consecutive trip to the Conference Finals but fell 4-1 to the Vancouver Canucks.
Trades
In June 1994 Clark was traded to the Quebec Nordiques in a multi-player deal which notably involved a young Mats Sundin. He was succeeded as Maple Leafs captain by Gilmour. Clark played the lockout-shortened 1994-95 NHL season in Quebec.
After the Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche, Clark became embroiled in a contract dispute. As a result, shortly before the beginning of the 1995-96 NHL season Clark was sent to the New York Islanders in a three-way trade that brought Claude Lemieux to Colorado and Steve Thomas to the New Jersey Devils. Clark played 58 games with the Islanders, but finished the season back in Toronto.
Later Career
In 1998 Clark signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was dealt at the trade deadline to the Detroit Red Wings, where he finished the 1998-99 NHL season. Clark signed with the Chicago Blackhawks later in 1999, but only appeared in 13 games with the team.
Upon returning to the Leafs in 2000, after being benched by the Blackhawks, Clark was not particularly effective for the remainder of the regular season, but he found his form for the Leafs' playoff run. The love that Leaf fans had for their former captain could be seen when they gave a 4 minute standing ovation after Clark 'barreled into the New Jersey zone' and hit the post in Game 1, marking likely the first time a player has received a standing ovation for almost scoring. During Game 4, Clark assisted on the game-winning goal that gave the Leafs a 2-1 victory and tied the series with the Devils.
Trivia
Wendel Clark holds the record for the longest span between NHL All-Star game appearances, with 13 years (1986-1999).
Career Statistics: 330 goals scored, 234 assists over 793 games played.
Along with onetime Leafs teammate Mike Gartner, both: never won the Stanley Cup, played in the Cup finals, won an NHL award, and were named to the postseason All-Star Team.
Clark was part of "The Hound Line" which included Gary Leeman and Russ Courtnall.
Clark's cousin is ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose. Clark was captain of the Leafs and Melrose was the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, when their teams faced off in the 1993 Prince of Wales Conference Finals. Another cousin of Clark's is Joe Kocur, also a former NHL player.
See also
Sources
Internet Hockey Database biography of Clark
Wendel Clark at Legends of Hockey
1966 births | Living people | Canadian ice hockey players | Chicago Blackhawks players | Detroit Red Wings players | National Hockey League first round draft picks | New York Islanders players | National Hockey League first overall draft picks | Quebec Nordiques players | Saskatoon Blades alumni | Tampa Bay Lightning players | Toronto Maple Leafs players | Saskatchewan sportspeople
"Wendel Clark"