Son of Leafs legend Wendel Clark signs NHL deal

Kody Clark, son of former NHLer Wendel Clark, has signed a three year, entry level contract with the Washington Capitals worth $870,000 per season.

The 19 year old Clark was drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) this past summer’s 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 6 foot, 2 inch, 185 pound winger has had a stellar junior career with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, but no one is predicting him to have the sort of impact that his father did in the NHL.

For those not young enough to remember, Wendel Clark was one of the toughest, most feared players of his generation, but how he really set himself apart was that he could REALLY, REALLY play. In an era full of goons and enforcers, Clark would go toe to toe with anyone, hop out of the box and put the puck in the net. He managed an incredible 330 goals, 564 points and 1690 penalty minutes in 793 career games split between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was a member of the Leafs on three separate times spanning 12 seasons. Needless to say, he’s still revered in the of Toronto.

For more info on Kody and his deal with the Capitals, read the official press release courtesy of the Capitals’ website below:

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Kody Clark to a three-year entry-level contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Clark's contract will carry an average annual value of $870,000.

The Capitals selected Clark with the 47th-overall pick (second round) in the 2018 NHL Draft. During the 2018 Prospect Showcase in Estero, Fla., Clark tied for second on the team in goals (2) and tied for fourth in points (3). Clark also appeared in two NHL preseason games this season.

In 14 games with Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season, Clark, 19, has recorded four points (3g, 1a).

Prior to the NHL Draft, Clark was ranked 19th overall among North American forwards by NHL Central Scouting. The 6'2", 184-pound forward registered 39 points (18g, 21a) in 56 games with Ottawa last season. Clark ranked fifth on the team in points and goals and sixth in assists. The King City, Ont., native recorded 12 points (7g, 5a) in the opening 15 games of the 2017-18 season, passing his point total during his rookie OHL season with Ottawa in 2016-17 (7g, 4a in 57 games).

Clark is the son of Wendel Clark, who was drafted first overall in the 1985 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs and amassed 564 points (330g, 234a) in 793 games between the Maple Leafs, the Quebec Nordiques, the Detroit Red Wings, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.