David Clarkson (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Clarkson played junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls and Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, winning the Memorial Cup with the Rangers in 2003. He went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils in 2005. After developing in the American Hockey League, he made his NHL debut on March 15, 2007, and scored his first goal the next game. Clarkson became a regular enforcer, leading the Devils in penalty minutes in 2007–08, and represented the team at the 2008 YoungStars Game.

His breakout came under former junior coach Peter DeBoer in 2011–12, when he scored 30 goals and helped the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings. After the 2012–13 lockout, he signed a seven-year, $36.75 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 5, 2013. His tenure in Toronto was marked by suspensions—a ten-game ban for leaving the bench during a preseason brawl and a two-game suspension for a hit to the head—and injuries. He managed only 5 goals in his first season and was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2015 for Nathan Horton.

Clarkson played just 26 games for Columbus due to injuries and was placed on long-term injured reserve with a back injury in 2016, ending his NHL career. His contract was later moved to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 expansion draft and then back to the Maple Leafs in 2019 for salary-cap purposes. After retiring, he became part owner and director of player development for the Colorado Grit of the NAHL.

Reader's Guide

David Clarkson's NHL career is a study in the volatility of a physical, energy-forward style. His undrafted rise to a 30-goal scorer with the Devils in 2011–12 was a remarkable achievement, earning him a lucrative long-term contract with the Maple Leafs. However, that contract quickly became a cautionary tale: Clarkson never approached that production in Toronto, scoring only 15 goals over 118 games while battling suspensions and injuries. His time with the Leafs is often cited as an example of the risks of overpaying for a single career year. Despite his struggles, Clarkson's role in the Devils' run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final and his Memorial Cup win with Kitchener highlight his ability to contribute to winning teams. His post-playing career as a coach and executive in junior hockey reflects a continued involvement in the sport.

Did You Know?

• Clarkson won the Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers in 2003.
• He scored his first NHL goal against goaltender John Grahame.
• Clarkson received a ten-game suspension for leaving the bench during a preseason brawl with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013.
• He was traded back to the Maple Leafs in 2019 for goaltender Garret Sparks.