Wendel Clark

Wendel Clark
Born	(1966-10-25) October 25, 1966 Kelvington, Saskatchewan, CAN
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Toronto Maple Leafs (1985–1994) Quebec Nordiques (1994–1995) New York Islanders (1995–1996) Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–1998) Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–1999) Detroit Red Wings (1999) Chicago Blackhawks (1999–2000) Toronto Maple Leafs (2000)
NHL draft	1st overall, 1985 Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career	1985–2000

Wendel L. "Boomer" Clark (born October 25, 1966, in Kelvington, Saskatchewan) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is perhaps best known for being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), captaining the team from 1991 to 1994. During this time, he was often referred to as "Captain Crunch," as he played a very physical and intense style of hockey.

Early years

A star junior hockey defenceman with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, Clark was a member of Canada's gold medal winning team at the 1985 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. 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.

Clark was known for his physical play and his offensive mind 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 Memorial 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 own goal, hindered his progress as an elite NHL player. Nonetheless, he was a crowd favourite at Maple Leaf Gardens 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. He was named captain of the team for the 1991–92 season.

Clark with the Maple Leafs.

During the 1992–93 season, Clark's second year captaining the team, the Leafs set team records in wins (44) and points (99) and also made the playoffs for the first time in three years. The Leafs had a memorable run to the Campbell Conference Finals, but after leading the best-of-seven series three games to two, they lost to the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings, who were coached by Clark's cousin, Barry Melrose. Two career defining moments happened in this series for Clark: his defense of Doug Gilmour, resulting in a bruised and battered Marty McSorley, and his hat-trick in game 6 of the 7 game series.

"That series was probably the most excitement I saw around here," proclaimed Clark, who had 20 points (10 goals and 10 assists) in his 21 games during the '93 playoffs. "It was the furthest the Leafs had advanced in a long time, the team was coming together at the right time and everybody was doing their jobs."

While Clark was known for grit and physical play (amassing 1,690 career penalty minutes), frequent injuries meant that he played only one full season. Nonetheless, he did manage an impressive 46 goals in 64 games for the Leafs during the 1993–94 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, who were coached by future Leafs coach Pat Quinn.

Reputation

Clark came into the league swinging, and refused to back down to the league's toughest players, racking up 227 PIM during his rookie year. Clark quickly gained a reputation for hard-nosed hockey, showing little regard for his opponents or himself. His most famous check is perhaps his hit on unsuspecting St. Louis' defenseman Bruce Bell. Coming from opposite corners, Clark caught Bell with his head down, and the devastating hit left Bell unconscious. Many legendary hits followed during his career, leading to his famous nickname, Captain Crunch.

Early in his career, Clark fought all the league's toughest players, quickly gaining a reputation as a feared pugilist. Despite his size, Clark more than held his own against much larger opponents, showing a ferocity seldom matched throughout the league. Clark's list of opponents is a relative who's who of his era's NHL tough-guys: Craig Berube, Bob Probert, Dave Brown, Cam Neely, Rick Tocchet, Mark Tinordi, Garth Butcher, Marty McSorley, Mike Peluso, John Kordic and Brad McCrimmon.

Due to age, reputation and injuries, Clark's fights became less frequent during latter part of his career. But despite the numerous injuries, Clark's ability to change a game with a single bodycheck continued right up to his eventual retirement.

Trades

In June 1994, with his value at an all-time high, 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 with the team. As a result, shortly before the beginning of the 1995–96 campaign, he 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, where he earned a spot on the North American All-Star team, and went on to score 28 goals in 65 games. Despite his success in Tampa Bay, he was dealt at the trade deadline to the Detroit Red Wings, where he finished the 1998–99 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 1:30 standing ovation after Clark barreled into the New Jersey zone and hit the post in Game 1. [1] 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.

Post-retirement

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. The Toronto Maple Leafs honoured the former captain by raising his legendary number 17 to the rafters on November 22, 2008, at the Air Canada Centre. He owns two restaurants, Wendel Clark's Classic Grill and Sports Lounge, in both Oakville, Ontario and Vaughan, Ontario, and resides in King City.

Trivia

Wendel Clark holds the record for the longest span between NHL All-Star game appearances, with 13 years (1986–1999).

Clark formed the "Hound Line" with Gary Leeman and Russ Courtnall while helping the Leafs come within a game of the semi-finals. Hucksters outside Maple Leaf Gardens sold small towels with three bulldogs printed on them with the numbers 9 (Courtnall), 11 (Leeman) and 17 (Clark) as Hound Line souvenirs.

While being considered a possibility for Rookie of the year, Leaf fans at Maple Leaf Gardens (and radio listeners as well) would often hear a novelty song over the P.A. system about why Clark should win called "Clark For The Calder".

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 band Rheostatics: "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts 1 and 2". The lyrics, dating back to 1987, celebrate Clark's aggressive style of play and power.

During the 1990s when Quebec's place within Canadian confederation was unsure, many automobiles began sporting "My Canada Includes Quebec" bumperstickers. After being traded away from Toronto at around this time, cars in Toronto began sporting "My Canada Includes Wendel" bumperstickers.

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.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1983–84	Saskatoon Blades	WHL		72	23	45	68	225		—	—	—	—	—
1984–85	Saskatoon Blades	WHL		64	32	55	87	253		3	3	3	6	7
1985–86	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		66	34	11	45	227		10	5	1	6	47
1986–87	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		80	37	23	60	271		13	6	5	11	38
1987–88	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		28	12	11	23	80		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		15	7	4	11	66		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		38	18	8	26	116		5	1	1	2	19
1990–91	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		63	18	16	34	152		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		43	19	21	40	123		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		66	17	22	39	193		21	10	10	20	51
1993–94	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		64	46	30	76	115		18	9	7	16	24
1994–95	Quebec Nordiques	NHL		37	12	18	30	45		6	1	2	3	6
1995–96	New York Islanders	NHL		58	24	19	43	60		—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		13	8	7	15	16		6	2	2	4	2
1996–97	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		65	30	19	49	75		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		47	12	7	19	80		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		65	28	14	42	35		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		12	4	2	6	2		10	2	3	5	10
1999–00	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		13	2	9	11	13		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		20	2	2	4	21		6	1	1	2	4
WHL totals				136	55	100	155	478		3	3	3	6	7
NHL totals				793	330	234	564	1690		95	37	32	69	201

See also

• Captain (ice hockey)
• Notable families in the NHL

External links

• Wendel Clark career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Wendel Clark biography at Legends of Hockey (archived)