Brett Clouthier
Encyclopedia
Brett Clouthier is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player, signed to the Allen Americans
of the Central Hockey League
.
Clouthier began his career in 1998, playing at junior level for the Kingston Frontenacs
of the OHL
. He made an immediate impact, and in 64 games established himself as an 'enforcer', totalling 227 penalty minutes. He also weighed in with his own fair share of points, grabbing a total of 22. This promise was spotted by the NHL's New Jersey Devils
, who drafted Clouthier number 50 in the 1999 entry draft, their second pick overall.
He did not make an appearance for the Devils, but continued to play for the Frontenacs for a further two seasons, again posting impressive numbers, with his points production steadily increasing to reach a peak of 58 points in 68 games in his final season, 2000/01. This production led to him being progressed to the Devils' affiliate team, the Albany River Rats
of the AHL
. Clouthier continued to pile up the penalty minutes and provide the team with a tough backbone but in two full seasons with the River Rats could only manage 17 points.
This led to him being dropped to the UHL for the 2003–04 season, where he iced for only two games for the Adirondack IceHawks before being re-called to the River Rats, who had missed his physical, intimidating style. Clouthier would not finish the season at the River Rats though, with his third club being the Cincinnati Cyclones
of the ECHL
, a level lower than he had been playing at in Albany.
Again this would only prove to be a temporary measure though, and Clouthier would again ice for the River Rats to start the 2004/05 season, making another 46 appearances throughout the season, clocking 168 penalty minutes. During this season he would spend another short spell at an ECHL
club, this time the Augusta Lynx
. At the end of the season, Clouthier was finally released from the River Rats having spent a total of four seasons there.
He took the opportunity to sign for one of their AHL
rivals, the Binghamton Senators
in the summer of 2005. Clouthier was a reliable player for the Senators, missing only one game all season for the affiliate team of the more well-known NHL Ottawa Senators
. In the summer of 2006 Clouthier was lured to Europe to sign for the Sheffield Steelers
in Britain's EIHL. Despite playing well for the Steelers and continuing his well-earned reputation as an enforcer, Clouthier was released half way through the season, and immediately joined the Manchester Phoenix
, fierce rivals of the Steelers.
During his time at the Phoenix, Clouthier established himself as somewhat of a fan favourite through his rough, physical style. He brought a tougher backbone to the team and managed to total almost a point a game during a 23 game spell, before the Phoenix's 2006/07 season was brought to a halt with a playoff loss. Clouthier had proved himself to be an excellent addition to the Phoenix squad and so was re-signed in the summer by player/coach Tony Hand
along with former Augusta Lynx team-mate Brian Passmore
. A further outstanding season would follow from Clouthier, culminating in his winning the 2007/08 'Hard As Ice' award at the 'Man of Ice' awards ceremony.
It was announced in May 2008 that Clouthier has again re-signed to play for the Phoenix in the 2008/09 season. Clouthier would continue his form for the Phoenix throughout the season, again proving to be one of the league's top enforcers. His physical play and 34 points in 68 games helped push the Phoenix to both the Challenge and Knock-Out Cup finals, the organisation's most successful season to date. Clouthier would again win the 'Hard as Ice' awards at the 'Man of Ice' awards presentation. Despite the on-ice success, financial problems would continue and in the summer of 2009 Phoenix owner Neil Morris announced that the Manchester team would ice the following season in the lower English Premier Ice Hockey League
. As the English Premier League has a much lower import limit, and the UK Border Agency will not allow work permits for Ice Hockey players playing outside the top league in the country, it would be impossible for Clouthier to have re-signed despite his popularity. During his two and a half seasons in Manchester Clouthier was a firm fan-favourite, and when he left many fans called for his number 16 to be retired.
On hearing that his contract would not be renewed, Clouthier returned to his native North America to sign for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
of the Central Hockey League. In addition to this he also attended a Providence Bruins
training camp and was awarded with a Professional Tryout contract, which he was released from after 8 games.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, signed to the Allen Americans
Allen Americans
The Allen Americans is an ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League which began play in the 2009–10 season. They play at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas.-History:...
of the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
.
Clouthier began his career in 1998, playing at junior level for the Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
of the OHL
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
. He made an immediate impact, and in 64 games established himself as an 'enforcer', totalling 227 penalty minutes. He also weighed in with his own fair share of points, grabbing a total of 22. This promise was spotted by the NHL's New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who drafted Clouthier number 50 in the 1999 entry draft, their second pick overall.
He did not make an appearance for the Devils, but continued to play for the Frontenacs for a further two seasons, again posting impressive numbers, with his points production steadily increasing to reach a peak of 58 points in 68 games in his final season, 2000/01. This production led to him being progressed to the Devils' affiliate team, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. Clouthier continued to pile up the penalty minutes and provide the team with a tough backbone but in two full seasons with the River Rats could only manage 17 points.
This led to him being dropped to the UHL for the 2003–04 season, where he iced for only two games for the Adirondack IceHawks before being re-called to the River Rats, who had missed his physical, intimidating style. Clouthier would not finish the season at the River Rats though, with his third club being the Cincinnati Cyclones
Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, a level lower than he had been playing at in Albany.
Again this would only prove to be a temporary measure though, and Clouthier would again ice for the River Rats to start the 2004/05 season, making another 46 appearances throughout the season, clocking 168 penalty minutes. During this season he would spend another short spell at an ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
club, this time the Augusta Lynx
Augusta Lynx
The Augusta Lynx were a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Augusta, Georgia. The Lynx played their home games at the James Brown Arena...
. At the end of the season, Clouthier was finally released from the River Rats having spent a total of four seasons there.
He took the opportunity to sign for one of their AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
rivals, the Binghamton Senators
Binghamton Senators
The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators...
in the summer of 2005. Clouthier was a reliable player for the Senators, missing only one game all season for the affiliate team of the more well-known NHL Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. In the summer of 2006 Clouthier was lured to Europe to sign for the Sheffield Steelers
Sheffield Steelers
The Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
in Britain's EIHL. Despite playing well for the Steelers and continuing his well-earned reputation as an enforcer, Clouthier was released half way through the season, and immediately joined the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
, fierce rivals of the Steelers.
During his time at the Phoenix, Clouthier established himself as somewhat of a fan favourite through his rough, physical style. He brought a tougher backbone to the team and managed to total almost a point a game during a 23 game spell, before the Phoenix's 2006/07 season was brought to a halt with a playoff loss. Clouthier had proved himself to be an excellent addition to the Phoenix squad and so was re-signed in the summer by player/coach Tony Hand
Tony Hand
Tony Hand MBE is a Scottish ice hockey player who became the first British-raised player to be drafted by an NHL team when he was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986. He is currently player-coach of the Manchester Phoenix...
along with former Augusta Lynx team-mate Brian Passmore
Brian Passmore
Brian Passmore is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who last played for the Oklahoma City Blazers of the CHL. In 1997 he began playing at major junior level for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL...
. A further outstanding season would follow from Clouthier, culminating in his winning the 2007/08 'Hard As Ice' award at the 'Man of Ice' awards ceremony.
It was announced in May 2008 that Clouthier has again re-signed to play for the Phoenix in the 2008/09 season. Clouthier would continue his form for the Phoenix throughout the season, again proving to be one of the league's top enforcers. His physical play and 34 points in 68 games helped push the Phoenix to both the Challenge and Knock-Out Cup finals, the organisation's most successful season to date. Clouthier would again win the 'Hard as Ice' awards at the 'Man of Ice' awards presentation. Despite the on-ice success, financial problems would continue and in the summer of 2009 Phoenix owner Neil Morris announced that the Manchester team would ice the following season in the lower English Premier Ice Hockey League
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
. As the English Premier League has a much lower import limit, and the UK Border Agency will not allow work permits for Ice Hockey players playing outside the top league in the country, it would be impossible for Clouthier to have re-signed despite his popularity. During his two and a half seasons in Manchester Clouthier was a firm fan-favourite, and when he left many fans called for his number 16 to be retired.
On hearing that his contract would not be renewed, Clouthier returned to his native North America to sign for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are a professional ice hockey team based in Hidalgo, Texas, and play their home games at State Farm Arena. They are a member of the Central Hockey League, and two time Central Hockey League franchise of the year...
of the Central Hockey League. In addition to this he also attended a Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
training camp and was awarded with a Professional Tryout contract, which he was released from after 8 games.
Career stats
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998–99 1998–99 OHL season The 1998–99 OHL season was the 19th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Belleville Bulls won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.... |
Kingston Frontenacs Kingston Frontenacs The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
64 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 227 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 65 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 266 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | ||
| 2000–01 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 68 | 28 | 29 | 57 | 165 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
62 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 109 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 74 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 220 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003–04 | Adirondack IceHawks | UHL United Hockey League The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States... |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 39 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 122 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003–04 | Cincinnati Cyclones Cincinnati Cyclones The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena.... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 46 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 168 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2004–05 | Augusta Lynx Augusta Lynx The Augusta Lynx were a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Augusta, Georgia. The Lynx played their home games at the James Brown Arena... |
ECHL | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Binghamton Senators Binghamton Senators The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators... |
AHL | 79 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 202 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2006–07 | Sheffield Steelers Sheffield Steelers The Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League... |
EIHL | 35 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 174 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2006–07 | Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in... |
EIHL | 21 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 103 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 EIHL season The 2007–08 Elite Ice Hockey League season began September 5, 2007 and ran until April 6, 2008. It was the fifth season of Elite League competition.The defending league champions were the Coventry Blaze, who were also the holders of the Challenge Cup... |
Manchester Phoenix | EIHL | 60 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 206 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 EIHL season The 2008–09 EIHL season was the sixth season of the Elite Ice Hockey League. It began in September 2008 and ran through to April 2009. The ten clubs in the League competed for 4 different competitions: the Elite League, the Play-Offs, the Challenge Cup, and the Knockout Cup. The winners of... |
Manchester Phoenix | EIHL | 68 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 175 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Providence Bruins Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
AHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 CHL season The 2009–10 CHL season was the 18th season of the Central Hockey League . The season run from October 16, 2009 until March 20, 2010, followed with the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs.... |
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are a professional ice hockey team based in Hidalgo, Texas, and play their home games at State Farm Arena. They are a member of the Central Hockey League, and two time Central Hockey League franchise of the year... |
CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
46 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 143 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 CHL season The 2010–11 CHL season was the 19th season of the Central Hockey League .-Team changes:The Amarillo Gorillas and the Corpus Christi IceRays folded and both were replaced by a North American Hockey League team.-Expansion:... |
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees | CHL | 62 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 177 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
External links
- Brett Clouthier Personal Profile, Manchester Phoenix Official Website.
- '2007/08 Man Of Ice Awards', Official Man Of Ice Website.
- 'Phoenix Welcome Back Own Hitman', Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 27/05/08.
- 'Killer Bees Sign Heavyweight Clouthier', Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Official Website, 11/08/09