Mike Clarke (ice hockey b. 1953)
Encyclopedia
Mike Clarke is a Canadian
former professional ice hockey player who, in 1973, was drafted by both the National Hockey League
and World Hockey Association
.
Clarke was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers
in the 3rd round (42nd overall) of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
, and was also selected by the New England Whalers in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft
.
Although Clarke went on to play eleven seasons of professional hockey, he never played a game in either of major leagues that had drafted him.
, Alberta
, Canada
, Clarke played major junior hockey with the Calgary Centennials
of the Western Hockey League
. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League
(AHL) in 1973 with the Richmond Robins
- then the minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers
. Following his rookie campaign, Clarke was bounced around the minor leagues; playing in the AHL, NAHL
, IHL, and EHL
.
Clarke achieved his best success with the Flint Generals during the 1976-77 season when he racked up 108 points in 78 games with IHL team. In all he would play five seasons and 342 games with the Generals, scoring a total of 380 points for the Flint team.
Mid-way through the 1981-82 season, the Generals dealt Clarke to the Fort Wayne Komets
where he continued to produce by scoring 127 points in 127 games for the Komets.
Clarke's 11 season professional career concluded following the 1983-84 season. He retired as a member of the Kalamazoo Wings
after being traded to that team by Fort Wayne earlier that season. His total professional statistics are summed up with 721 points in 747 regular season games, with another 66 points scored in 60 post-season 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...
former professional ice hockey player who, in 1973, was drafted by both the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
and World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
.
Clarke was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 3rd round (42nd overall) of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft
1973 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
, and was also selected by the New England Whalers in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft
1973 WHA Amateur Draft
-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft.-Round 1:1. Bob Neely - Chicago Cougars2. Glenn Goldup - New England Whalers3. Andre Savard - Quebec Nordiques4. Paulin Bordeleau - Toronto Toros...
.
Although Clarke went on to play eleven seasons of professional hockey, he never played a game in either of major leagues that had drafted him.
Playing career
Born 1992 in DidsburyDidsbury, Alberta
Didsbury is a town in central Alberta, Canada, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.Located next to Alberta Highway 2A, near the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, Didsbury is within the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Didsbury is approximately the half-way point between the cities of Calgary and Red...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
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...
, Clarke played major junior hockey with the Calgary Centennials
Calgary Centennials
Calgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League
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...
(AHL) in 1973 with the Richmond Robins
Richmond Robins
The Richmond Robins were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a member of the American Hockey League for five seasons from 1971–72 to 1975–76...
- then the minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Following his rookie campaign, Clarke was bounced around the minor leagues; playing in the AHL, NAHL
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
, IHL, and EHL
Eastern Hockey League
-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
.
Clarke achieved his best success with the Flint Generals during the 1976-77 season when he racked up 108 points in 78 games with IHL team. In all he would play five seasons and 342 games with the Generals, scoring a total of 380 points for the Flint team.
Mid-way through the 1981-82 season, the Generals dealt Clarke to the Fort Wayne Komets
Fort Wayne Komets
The Fort Wayne Komets are a minor league ice hockey franchise currently a member of the Central Hockey League in the Northern Conference. The team was previously a member of the International Hockey League before it merged into the CHL in 2010...
where he continued to produce by scoring 127 points in 127 games for the Komets.
Clarke's 11 season professional career concluded following the 1983-84 season. He retired as a member of the Kalamazoo Wings
Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium....
after being traded to that team by Fort Wayne earlier that season. His total professional statistics are summed up with 721 points in 747 regular season games, with another 66 points scored in 60 post-season games.
Further reading
- Toledo Blade - Feb 10, 1978 - Page 15 - He Shoots, He Scores' Give Announcers Laryngitis at Flint
- The Milwaukee Journal - Dec 22, 1978- Page 15 - Admirals' Defeat Gift Wrapped
- The Milwaukee Sentinel - Dec 23, 1978 - Part 2, Page 1 - Flint Spoils Admirals' Christmas
- The Argus-Press - Feb 3, 1979 - Page 11 - Admirals as Good as Generals
- The Milwaukee Sentinel - Part 2, Page 2 - Feb 3, 1979 - Admirals tie
- Toledo Blade - Dec 21, 1981- Page 33 - Fraser's Clutch Goals Lift Diggers To Overtime Victory
- The Argus-Press - Apr 10, 1982- Page 10 - Toledo Two Up On Flint