Wendel Clark

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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. During this time, he was often referred to as "Captain Crunch" as he played a very physical and intense style of hockey.

Contents 1 Early Years 2 Trades 3 Later Career 4 Trivia 5 See also 6 Sources

[edit] Early Years

A star junior hockey defenceman with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, Clark was converted to forward after he was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1985 NHL 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 third 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 Campbell 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 (coached by Pat Quinn who would later coach the Leafs to a playoff appearance 6 out of 7 seasons).

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.^{[verification needed]} 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.

[edit] 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 or played in the Cup finals, won an NHL award, and were named to the postseason All-Star Team.

Clark formed the "Hound Line" with Gary Leeman and Russ Courtnall while helping the Leafs come within a game of the semi-finals.

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 Campbell Conference Finals. Another cousin of Clark's is Joe Kocur, also a former NHL player.

Clark was the subject of a song by Etobicoke, ON band Rheostatics: "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts 1 and 2". The lyrics, dating back to 1988, celebrate Clark's aggressive style of play and power.

Wendel is now employed by the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club as a community ambassador and public relations. he can be seen at virtually all Leaf home games, usually with his wife Denise and children.

He converted a barn on his farm north of Toronto into a rink with the help of former NHL player Dave Gagner, whose company builds and installs artificial rinks.

[edit] See also

• Captain (ice hockey)
• List of NHL players
• List of NHL seasons
• Notable families in the NHL

[edit] Sources

Internet Hockey Database biography of Clark
Wendel Clark at Legends of Hockey [1]

Preceded by Mario Lemieux	NHL First Overall Draft Pick 1985	Succeeded by Joe Murphy
Preceded by Rob Ramage	Toronto Maple Leafs captains 1991-94	Succeeded by Doug Gilmour