When David Clarkson was nineteen years old playing for the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League, the team had given up on him and traded him to the Kitchener Rangers for pretty much free. At Kitchener, Head Coach Peter DeBoer and the staff had gotten to the point where they were also considering letting Clarky go. Then his play improved drastically and now that trade is now known to the Kitchener fans as the best trade ever. The Devils signed him as a free agent in 2005 and he spent two seasons in the minors. At the end of the 2006-07 season, David Clarkson began playing for the New Jersey Devils and never looked back.
In his first full NHL season Clarky ranked 7th in penalty minutes gladly dropping his gloves for Jersey’s Team, often against taller and heavier opponents. His passion and hunger was obvious in every game. He played like a warrior that always had something to prove and left everything he had on the ice. He even put a few pucks in the net once in a while. He was rewarded with a two year contract. His play continued to improve and when the two years expired, he received a three year contract tripling his pay. His presence on the ice was an advantage for his teammates as he never shied away from a battle and let his heart lead the way to a feisty style of hockey that is always admired on the hockey rink. His value to the hockey team was undeniable.
Then came a surprise.
An old friend came to town and took over the at the helm in Newark. David Clarkson was reunited with his coach from Kitchener, Peter DeBoer. And suddenly, Clarky’s role evolved and a brand new part of his game surfaced: he became a prominent goal scorer, without sacrificing his in-your-face game. In fact, he reached the coveted 30-goal mark. It’s a truly inspiring development from a man who is willing to do anything for his teammates and their winning ambition. His relish for battling for ice in tight spaces translated to prime opportunities around the net and in the slot while his discipline and determination have fit in perfectly with the Devils organization. This season, the scoring assault has continued as he leads Jersey’s Team with 10 goals in 17 games, good for sixth in the NHL. His value to the New Jersey Devils is immeasurable.
Now comes another surprise.
It turns out that David Clarkson has a strong history of connecting to his community, especially with children. He founded Clarky’s Kids, a program which provides children in a hospital in Ontario with a hockey experience with his old team, the Kitchener Rangers. It also raises funds to help aid the support of families and siblings dealing with a child that has cancer. It’s an incredible effort from a man that is clearly doing what he absolutely loves for a living and is happily spreading his joy and hope to his region and community and along the way, doing everything that the power of professional sports can do. And now here in Newark, David Clarkson reached out to the children of Hockey in Newark. He contacted the NHLPA and got 50 sets of hockey equipment donated to the program. At the event in the Ironbound Rink commemorating the donation, he signed autographs and then skated with the kids. Newark’s own hockey celebrities, coaches and Hockey in Newark founders Keith Veltre and Dennis Ruppe, were very grateful and touched and already talked about the addition of 50 Newark kids that can now experience the positive and addicting power of ice hockey. Again, David Clarkson’s heart leads the way to make a successful impact, just like it does on the ice. To the great city of Newark, David Clarkson is the most valuable hockey player.
This is the last season of Clarky’s current contract. As Coach Peter DeBoer will tell you, letting him go would be a mistake. His effort, goals, perfect match with the Devils system, and free agency will again command a huge pay raise. This time, both the hockey team and the community will tell you it is well-deserved.
Won’t back down. You’ll remember the day you played Clarkson and the Devils.
- Dropping Sean Avery to the ice where she belongs. Just another day in the office.
Remember this big playoff goal by David Clarkson? Philly does.
Clarkson’s day with the kids in the Ironbound. Just a classy guy loving life.