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Cal Clutterbuck
Cal Clutterbuck
Cal Clutterbuck
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Cal William Clutterbuck (born November 18, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Playing as a right winger, he was drafted 72nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2006 NHL entry draft. He played for the Wild and New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Clutterbuck holds the NHL record for most career hits.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Clutterbuck was born on November 18, 1987, in Welland, Ontario,[2] to Tim and Jocelyne Clutterbuck.[3] He was around the same age as many other future National Hockey League (NHL) players from the Welland area, and is remembered in his hometown as one of the "Welland Five", a group that also consists of Matt Ellis, Daniel Paille, Dan Girardi, and Paul Bissonnette.[4] Bissonnette remembered Clutterbuck as a "dominant scorer" in Welland youth hockey who only became more physical and focused on checking his opponents when he was older.[5] Clutterbuck played a variety of sports, including baseball, golf, and volleyball, but began focusing solely on hockey when he was around the age of 16.[6] While attending Notre Dame College School, Clutterbuck also played junior ice hockey for the Welland Cougars of the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League.[7]

Playing career

[edit]

Junior

[edit]

The Toronto St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) drafted Clutterbuck in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2003 OHL Priority Selection.[8] He joined the team for the 2003–04 OHL season, scoring his first goal of the year on November 23 in a 5–2 defeat of the Sudbury Wolves.[9]

He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild 72nd overall in the third round of the 2006 NHL entry draft.

Professional

[edit]

Minnesota Wild

[edit]

Following the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, Clutterbuck signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on May 31, 2007.[10] Prior to the start of the 2007–08 season, Clutterbuck participated in the 2007 NHL Centre I.C.E. Prospects Tournament.[11] He finished the tournament with two goals and two assists for four points as the Wild prospects fell to the Atlanta Thrashers prospects in the third place game.[12] Upon the conclusion of the tournament, Clutterbuck was cut from the Wild's development camp and reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Houston Aeros, to start the 2007–08 season.[13] As the youngest player on the team, Clutterbuck scored his first professional goal on his first professional shot in his first professional game in the team's home opener against the Chicago Wolves on October 6.[14] Clutterbuck quickly accumulated two goals and an assist to tie for fourth in team scoring before being recalled to the NHL level on October 23.[15] He subsequently made his NHL debut on October 28 against the Colorado Avalanche.[16] He played one more game with the Wild before being reassigned to the Houston Aeros on November 1.[17] By the end of February, Clutterbuck had accumulated 18 points in 50 games with the Aeros.[18] Clutterbuck finished the season with the Aeros, tallying 11 goals and 13 assists through 73 games along with 97 penalty minutes.[19]

Clutterbuck with the Wild in March 2009.

Prior to the start of the 2008–09 season, Clutterbuck again participated in the NHL's Prospects Tournament, where he again tallied two goals and two assists for four points.[20] Although he was again reassigned to the Aeros to start the 2008–09 season, Clutterbuck was called up to the NHL level on October 15 after Marek Zidlicky was placed on Injured Reserve.[21] Upon rejoining the Wild at the NHL level, Clutterbuck averaged 10:05 of ice time per game while also leading the Northwest Division with 51 hits.[22] On November 24, 2008, Clutterbuck scored his first two NHL goals against José Théodore of the Washington Capitals to lead them to a 4–3 win.[23] After also recording four hits during the game, Clutterbuck continued to lead the team and all rookies across the league with 64 hits.[24] However, after going scoreless in the following two games, Clutterbuck was a healthy scratch twice in a row. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire later stated that this was meant to send a message to Clutterbuck and motivate him.[25] He continued to struggle to score goals and went goalless for nearly a month before breaking the drought on December 23 against the Carolina Hurricanes.[26] After setting a new career-high with nine hits in the Wild's 3–0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on February 4, he continued to lead the NHL in hits with 180 through 45 games.[27] The following month, Clutterbuck recorded an assist and set a new franchise record with 10 hits in their overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on March 10.[28] By the end of the month, Clutterbuck had set a new league record with 327 hits through 72 games while also tallying eight goals and 13 points. The previous record was 311, set by Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings.[29] He subsequently finished the season with 18 points and an NHL record of 356 hits.[30]

Following his rookie season with the Wild, Clutterbuck worked to remain a mainstay in their lineup by spending the offseason running sprints, lifting weights, and working on his agility.[30] Although he made the Wild's opening night roster for the 2009–10 season, he only played four games with the team before being placed on injured reserve.[31] He subsequently missed five games before returning to the Wild's lineup on October 24 and scoring the game-winning goal in their game against the Hurricanes.[32] He continued to score and tallied four goals over his next 10 games.[33] On February 14, Clutterbuck scored his career-high 12th goal and recorded his first assist in 21 games.[34] Later that month, Clutterbuck became the first Wild player to sign an extension during the 2009–2010 season as he signed a three-year extension on February 25.[35] Despite missing one game due to a lower-body injury,[36] he surpassed his previous seasons' point total by also setting new career-highs in assists on March 21.[37] Clutterbuck finished his second full season in the NHL with a career-high 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points through 74 games.[2]

In his third full season with the Wild, Clutterbuck set new career-highs with 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points.[2] Through his first four games of the 2010–11 season, Clutterbuck played on the second line with Martin Havlat and Matt Cullen while averaging a career-high 15:33 of ice time.[38] Although he led the team with seven goals through November, he tallied his first assist of the season on November 26.[39] The following month, he recorded his first two-point game since February 14, 2010.[40]

New York Islanders

[edit]
Clutterbuck with the Islanders in March 2015

On June 30, 2013, during the 2013 NHL entry draft, Clutterbuck, a restricted free agent, was traded from the Wild to the Islanders along with a third-round draft pick in exchange for forward Nino Niederreiter.[41]

During the 2014–15 season, Clutterbuck was named as an alternate captain for the team after Kyle Okposo was sidelined with an eye injury.[42]

On April 25, 2015, Clutterbuck scored what would later become the last goal in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum history (until the Islanders announced a part-time return to the Coliseum starting with the 2018–19 season) into an empty net with 0:53 remaining in the third period as the Islanders won game 6 of their first-round playoff series in the 2015 playoffs against the Capitals, 3–1, to stave off elimination extend the series to a seventh game. The Islanders would eventually lose game 7 to the Capitals two nights later.

The following season, Clutterbuck's line, consisting of Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin and himself, was considered to be the best fourth line in the NHL by some analysts.[43] He signed a five-year contract with the Islanders on December 9, 2016.[44]

In the 2021–22 season, while in the final season of his five-year contract, and with the Islanders out of playoff contention, Clutterbuck opted to re-sign to a two-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the team on March 21, 2022 at the NHL trade deadline.[45] Having appeared in 59 regular season games, totalling six goals and 15 points, Clutterbuck was announced to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on March 24, 2022.[46]

On November 22, 2023, Clutterbuck played his 1,000th NHL game as the Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3–2.[47][48]

After going unsigned through the 2024–25 season, Clutterbuck announced his retirement on April 23, 2025. He finished his career with 1,064 games played between the Wild and Islanders, and retired as the league's all-time hits leader.[49]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001–02 Welland Cougars GHL 6 2 1 3 0 — — — — —
2002–03 Welland Cougars GHL 48 24 29 53 26 — — — — —
2003–04 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 60 4 7 11 112 18 3 5 8 20
2004–05 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 38 10 6 16 55 — — — — —
2004–05 Oshawa Generals OHL 27 9 9 18 42 — — — — —
2005–06 Oshawa Generals OHL 66 35 33 68 139 — — — — —
2006–07 Oshawa Generals OHL 65 35 54 89 153 9 8 5 13 21
2007–08 Houston Aeros AHL 73 11 13 24 97 5 0 0 0 14
2007–08 Minnesota Wild NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Houston Aeros AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 11 7 18 76 — — — — —
2009–10 Minnesota Wild NHL 74 13 8 21 52 — — — — —
2010–11 Minnesota Wild NHL 76 19 15 34 79 — — — — —
2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 74 15 12 27 103 — — — — —
2012–13 Minnesota Wild NHL 42 4 6 10 27 5 1 1 2 4
2013–14 New York Islanders NHL 73 12 7 19 40 — — — — —
2014–15 New York Islanders NHL 76 7 9 16 60 7 2 1 3 26
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 77 15 8 23 22 11 2 1 3 12
2016–17 New York Islanders NHL 66 5 15 20 28 — — — — —
2017–18 New York Islanders NHL 76 8 10 18 53 — — — — —
2018–19 New York Islanders NHL 73 8 15 23 44 7 0 0 0 4
2019–20 New York Islanders NHL 37 3 4 7 22 21 2 2 4 18
2019–20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 2 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2020–21 New York Islanders NHL 50 4 7 11 10 19 4 3 7 10
2021–22 New York Islanders NHL 59 6 9 15 10 — — — — —
2022–23 New York Islanders NHL 49 6 6 12 30 6 1 0 1 16
2023–24 New York Islanders NHL 82 7 12 19 32 5 0 0 0 10
NHL totals 1,064 143 150 293 698 81 12 8 20 100

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2004 Canada Ontario U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 3 0 3 4
2004 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 0 2 20
2005 Canada WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 1 1 2 8
2011 Canada WC 5th 7 0 1 1 4
Junior totals 17 6 1 7 32
Senior totals 7 0 1 1 4

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cal Clutterbuck

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cal Clutterbuck (born November 18, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the and , retiring in 2025 as the league's all-time leader in hits with 4,029. Born in , Clutterbuck was selected by the Wild in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft after a standout junior career in the (OHL) with the and . He made his NHL debut with during the 2007–08 season and quickly established himself as a physical, energy-line forward known for his aggressive forechecking and willingness to engage in hits. In his rookie season of 2008–09, Clutterbuck recorded 356 hits, the second-highest single-season total in NHL history at the time, while contributing 11 goals and 18 points in 78 games. Clutterbuck spent his first six NHL seasons with (2007–2013), amassing 62 goals and 110 points in 346 regular-season games, and appeared in 12 playoff contests. Traded to the on June 30, 2013, in exchange for and a draft pick, he became a key part of the team's bottom-six forward group, valued for his penalty-killing prowess and leadership. With the Islanders, Clutterbuck tied for the NHL lead with four goals in the 2011–12 season (while still with but noted in his career highlights) and played a role in the team's first playoff series win since 1993 during the 2015–16 postseason against the . Over his Islanders tenure (2013–2024), he added 183 points (81 goals, 102 assists) in 718 games and participated in 69 playoff games, including back-to-back Eastern Conference Final appearances in 2020 and 2021. Throughout his 1,064 career regular-season games, Clutterbuck totaled 293 points (143 goals, 150 assists) with a -19 plus/minus rating, earning a reputation as one of the NHL's most durable and hardest-hitting players despite dealing with injuries, including a notable skate cut to his wrist and shoulder surgery. He announced his retirement on April 23, 2025, reflecting on the physical toll of the sport but expressing gratitude for the camaraderie and opportunities it provided. Post-retirement, Clutterbuck transitioned into a full-time role as a broadcast analyst for Islanders games on MSG Networks and pursued his passion for golf, competing in events like the New York State Open Championship.

Early life

Childhood in Welland

Cal Clutterbuck was born on November 18, 1987, in Welland, Ontario, Canada, to parents Tim and Jocelyn Clutterbuck. His parents, inspired by the Baltimore Orioles shortstop, named him after baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., reflecting an early family appreciation for the sport. Raised in a French-Canadian household during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clutterbuck grew up rooting for the Montreal Canadiens, with goaltender Patrick Roy emerging as a childhood idol. Welland, a small city in the Niagara region, provided a nurturing environment steeped in hockey culture, where community rinks and local enthusiasm fostered early interest in the sport among children. Clutterbuck's father frequently took him to these rinks, while his mother introduced him to skating as a , embedding hockey into his daily life from an early age. The tight-knit community, supported by dedicated coaches and volunteers, emphasized perseverance and teamwork, shaping his formative years. Beyond hockey, Clutterbuck's childhood included diverse interests that rounded out his early experiences in . He enjoyed playing , a nod to his namesake, along with and , pursuing these activities alongside school and family time until his mid-teens. These pursuits, combined with the supportive local atmosphere, contributed to a well-balanced upbringing before his focus shifted more intensely toward organized sports.

Minor hockey career

Clutterbuck developed his early hockey skills in his hometown of , , where his upbringing fostered a strong passion for the sport. He played minor hockey for the Welland Tigers in the Minor Hockey Association's (OMHA) South Central AAA League, competing at various age levels and contributing to local teams that emphasized competitive play. Following his bantam season, Clutterbuck transitioned to junior hockey, spending one year with the Welland Cougars of the Junior Hockey League (GHJHL), a Junior B circuit, where he honed his abilities as a right winger and demonstrated scoring prowess in 48 games. During this period, his physical style and skating speed began to stand out in regional tournaments, drawing attention from scouts for his aggressive play and on-ice presence. These experiences culminated in the 2003 OHL Priority Selection, where Clutterbuck was chosen 13th overall in the first round by the , marking a key step toward major junior hockey.

Playing career

Junior career in the OHL

Clutterbuck entered the (OHL) after being selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the in the 2003 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie 2003–04 season, he appeared in 60 regular-season games, recording 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points while accumulating 112 penalty minutes, a figure that underscored his emerging physical presence on the ice. During the playoffs, he contributed 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 18 games as the Majors advanced to the OHL finals, where they lost to the . Ahead of the 2005 OHL trade deadline, Clutterbuck was dealt from the Majors to the Oshawa Generals, where he finished the 2004–05 season by posting 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points in 27 games, adding to his earlier 10 goals and 6 assists in 38 games with Toronto. He remained with the Generals for the next two seasons, establishing himself as a key contributor. In 2005–06, Clutterbuck enjoyed a breakout year with 35 goals and 33 assists for 68 points in 66 games, complemented by 139 penalty minutes that highlighted his strong physical play and willingness to engage opponents along the boards and in front of the net. Clutterbuck built on that momentum in 2006–07, leading the Generals in scoring with 35 goals and 54 assists for 89 points in 65 games, while notching 153 penalty minutes; in the , he added 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points in 9 games. Across his four-year OHL tenure spanning 256 regular-season games with and , he amassed 93 goals and 109 assists for 202 points, alongside 501 penalty minutes. This performance as a , productive winger culminated in his selection by the in the third round, 72nd overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL career with the Minnesota Wild

Clutterbuck began his professional career after being selected by the in the third round, 72nd overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the majority of the 2007–08 season with the Wild's affiliate, the Houston Aeros, where he recorded 18 goals and 16 assists in 66 games. On October 28, 2007, he made his NHL debut with the Wild against the , appearing in two games that season without recording a point. In the 2008–09 season, Clutterbuck transitioned to a full-time role with the Wild, playing in all 78 regular-season games and establishing himself as a key energy player on the checking lines. He scored his first two NHL goals on November 24, 2008, against the in a 4–3 victory, contributing to a season total of 19 goals and 14 assists for 33 points, along with a league-high 356 hits—the second-most in NHL history at the time. His physical style, honed during junior hockey, quickly translated to the level, where he became known for delivering consistent body checks and forechecking pressure. The Wild qualified for the that year, advancing to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the in six games; Clutterbuck appeared in 12 postseason contests, registering 1 goal and providing physical support on the bottom-six lines. Clutterbuck's role solidified in the following seasons as a premier agitator and hitter. During the 2009–10 campaign, he led the NHL with 318 hits while contributing 9 goals and 14 assists in 74 games, helping to a berth despite an early exit against the . He repeated as the league's hits leader in 2010–11 with 336, the highest single-season total to that point, alongside 19 goals and 15 assists in 76 games; the Wild missed the playoffs that year, but Clutterbuck's tenacity earned him recognition as one of the league's most physical forwards. On February 25, 2010, prior to the 2009–10 season's conclusion, the Wild signed him to a three-year contract extension worth $4.2 million, securing his presence through the 2012–13 season. Clutterbuck's tenure with the Wild ended on June 30, 2013, when he was traded to the in exchange for prospect and the Islanders' third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft (originally acquired from ). Over six seasons with , he played 352 regular-season games, recording 155 hits in his final year (2012–13) despite missing time due to injury, and embodying the franchise's emphasis on gritty, defensive-minded play.

NHL career with the New York Islanders

Clutterbuck was acquired by the from the on June 30, 2013, in exchange for forward . In his debut season of 2013-14, despite missing the first 16 games due to a leg injury sustained in preseason, he quickly integrated into the lineup as a key member of the checking line, delivering physical forechecking and contributing 8 goals and 11 assists in 62 games while helping solidify the team's bottom-six forwards. His aggressive style immediately added grit to the Islanders' forward group, aligning with Jack Capuano's emphasis on defensive reliability and penalty killing. Over the following seasons, Clutterbuck maintained a consistent role on the checking lines, providing energy and physicality during the Islanders' postseason pushes under coaches and . In 2015-16, he recorded 15 goals and 23 points, playing a pivotal part in the team's first playoff series victory since 1993 by defeating the in six games. He continued to contribute in subsequent , including advancing to the Eastern Conference Second Round in 2019 and reaching the Conference Finals in both 2020—where the Islanders upset the and —and 2021, defeating the before falling to the . These runs highlighted his reliability in high-stakes matchups, often logging key minutes on the penalty kill and in faceoff situations. Clutterbuck's leadership grew prominently within the organization, as he was named an alternate captain ahead of the 2016-17 season alongside and , a role he held for 10 seasons thereafter. As a veteran presence, he served as a locker room anchor and mentor to younger players, fostering team culture through his and toughness, which earned him the Bob Nystrom Award in 2024 for exemplifying leadership, hustle, and dedication. Career milestones during his Islanders tenure included playing his 1,000th NHL game on November 22, 2023, against the at , where he was honored with a pregame . His relentless physical play also culminated in him becoming the first player to reach 4,000 hits on March 28, 2024, against the , cementing his legacy as the NHL's all-time hits leader. Over his Islanders tenure (2013–2024), he added 124 points (64 goals, 60 assists) in 712 games and participated in 69 playoff games, including back-to-back Eastern Conference Final appearances in 2020 and 2021.

Retirement

On April 23, 2025, Cal Clutterbuck officially announced his retirement from the National Hockey League via an Instagram video, concluding a 17-season career that spanned 1,064 regular-season games with the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders. Having not played during the 2024-25 season after his contract with the Islanders expired without renewal, Clutterbuck cited the opportunity to formalize his departure after a year away from the ice. In reflecting on his career, Clutterbuck expressed deep satisfaction, stating, "I'm beyond grateful for every teammate, coach, fan, and moment along the way. Hockey gave me everything—a purpose, a brotherhood, and a lifetime of memories." He highlighted the honor of sharing the ice with longtime linemates Matt Martin and on the Islanders' "Identity Line," emphasizing the camaraderie built through consistent effort. The physical demands of his gritty, hard-hitting style, which saw him overcome multiple injuries throughout his tenure, contributed to the timing of his decision, as no NHL team signed him for the 2024-25 campaign despite his initial desire to continue playing. Following his retirement, Clutterbuck quickly engaged in Islanders alumni activities, including a humorous appearance in the team's 2025-26 schedule release video on July 16, 2025, where he posed as a "summer intern" in the IslesU program to unveil the dates. He has pursued golf with renewed focus, a passion dating back to his teenage years, competing in the New York State Open Championship at Glen Oaks Club in July 2025 and expressing aspirations to qualify for events like the American Century Celebrity Championship. Additionally, Clutterbuck transitioned into broadcasting, joining MSG Networks as a full-time analyst for the 2025-26 Islanders season, providing game-night coverage for 72 of the team's 82 regular-season games starting October 9, 2025.

International career

Youth international tournaments

Clutterbuck began his international representation at the youth level with Team Ontario at the 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he contributed offensively in six games, scoring three goals, including one in the final against Team Pacific, helping secure a 5-2 victory and Ontario's fourth in the tournament's history. His physical style, evident in four penalty minutes over the tournament, aligned with the aggressive play that defined his junior career and aided his adaptation to international competition. Later that year, Clutterbuck joined Canada's National Under-18 Team for the 2004 , registering two goals and 20 penalty minutes in five games en route to a , Canada's 25th in the event's history after defeating the 3-1 in the final. His high-energy, checking presence was highlighted by leading the team in penalty minutes, underscoring his role as a forward on a squad that outscored opponents decisively. In 2005, Clutterbuck returned for Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships in the , playing all six games with one goal and one assist for two points, along with eight penalty minutes and seven shots on goal, as the team earned silver after a 5-1 loss to the in the final. His contributions in a depth role emphasized physical forechecking and defensive reliability, paving the way for future senior international opportunities.

2011 IIHF World Championship

Clutterbuck earned his first and only senior international call-up for Team Canada during the 2011 NHL offseason, accepting an invitation in April to join the squad for the IIHF World Championship hosted in Slovakia. As a rugged right winger known for his physicality, he was slotted into a checking-line role to provide forechecking pressure and disrupt opponents' plays. Over seven games in the tournament, Clutterbuck recorded no goals and one assist for a single point, while accumulating four penalty minutes and finishing with a minus-2 rating; he logged 90:01 of ice time across 139 shifts, averaging 12:51 per game and firing 21 shots on goal without conversion. His physical presence was evident in his agitating style, though specific hit totals were not tracked; he received a two-minute penalty for slashing in the game against the United States. Canada advanced through the preliminary round but fell 2-1 to in the quarterfinals, ultimately finishing fifth overall in the tournament standings.

Playing style

Physical presence and hitting

Cal Clutterbuck earned a reputation as the NHL's premier hitter through his relentless physical play, culminating in his retirement as the all-time leader with 4,029 across 1,064 games. His ability to deliver clean, forceful checks made him a cornerstone of team defenses, often disrupting opponents' rhythm and establishing a intimidating presence on the ice. Clutterbuck led the league in hits during three consecutive early seasons, recording 356 in 2008-09, 318 in 2009-10, and 336 in 2010-11, while maintaining top-10 rankings in most subsequent full seasons. This consistency underscored his dedication to physicality, even as the NHL evolved toward speed and skill, allowing him to average over 200 per season for much of his career. Notable milestones highlighted his impact, such as becoming the all-time leader in November 2022 with 3,635 , a moment that energized his teammates during a crucial stretch. Similarly, his 4,000th on March 28, 2024, against the —delivered in a 3-2 —sparked momentum for the Islanders, exemplifying how his checks often shifted game dynamics by forcing turnovers and boosting team morale. Clutterbuck's style evolved from an early-career agitator, known for provoking opponents with timely and on-ice antics, to a respected enforcer valued for his and reliability in high-pressure situations. However, this physical approach came with significant injury risks, including a 2019 back injury involving stress fractures, slipped discs, and a pinched that sidelined him for months, as well as lingering effects from a skate cut and other impacts that tested his durability over 16 seasons.

Offensive and defensive contributions

Throughout his 16-season NHL career, Cal Clutterbuck accumulated 143 goals and 150 assists for 293 points in 1,064 regular-season games, often contributing offensively from a checking-line role that emphasized reliability over high-volume scoring. His scoring output was steady, with multiple seasons yielding between 10 and 19 goals, including a breakout 2010-11 campaign where he posted 19 goals and 34 points in 76 games while playing primarily as a bottom-six forward for the . This performance highlighted his ability to generate offense through persistent forechecking and opportunistic finishing, traits that defined his contributions even as his role evolved toward defensive specialization later with the . Defensively, Clutterbuck excelled as a penalty killer, frequently anchoring the Islanders' top shorthanded unit alongside linemates like , where his aggressive positioning and quick stick helped the team achieve a 84.5 percent success rate on the penalty kill, fourth in the NHL, during the 2015-16 season. He also served as a reliable forechecker, using his speed and tenacity to disrupt opponents' breakouts and regain puck possession in the offensive zone, a style that complemented his physical presence in defensive-zone coverage. Regarding faceoffs, Clutterbuck maintained a career win rate of approximately 50 percent across his draws, providing steady support in key situations without being a primary specialist. Over time, Clutterbuck adapted his game to emphasize in high-stakes playoff scenarios, where he prioritized shot-blocking and backchecking to protect leads and support team defenses during deep postseason runs with the Islanders. In these moments, his willingness to sacrifice for the group—evident in games like the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals—underscored his evolution from a raw energy player to a enforcer who balanced subtle offensive threats with shutdown reliability.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Clutterbuck's NHL regular season and playoff statistics highlight his physical presence on the , as seen in his accumulated penalties in minutes (PIM) and totals.

Regular Season

The following table details Clutterbuck's year-by-year regular season performance with the (2007–2013) and (2013–2024), including (GP), goals (G), assists (A), points (Pts), PIM, (+/-), and . Hits data is tracked by the NHL starting from the 2005–06 season.
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-Hits
2007–08MIN2000004
2008–09MIN781171876-5356
2009–10MIN741382152-8318
2010–11MIN7619153479-5336
2011–12MIN74151227103-4288
2012–13MIN42461027-5155
2013–14NYI731271950-9270
2014–15NYI767916601343
2015–16NYI7715823227288
2016–17NYI6651520282222
2017–18NYI768101853-7226
2018–19NYI7381523446209
2019–20NYI37347226127
2020–21NYI50471110-5191
2021–22NYI59691510-6229
2022–23NYI496612309194
2023–24NYI8271219324273
Career Regular Season Totals: 1,064 GP, 143 G, 150 A, 293 Pts, 698 PIM, -19 +/-, 4,029 hits.

Playoffs

Clutterbuck appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2012–13 season with the Wild and multiple seasons with the Islanders from 2014–15 through 2023–24. The table below shows his performance per playoff appearance, including GP, G, A, Pts, PIM, +/-, and hits.
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-Hits
2012–13MIN51124025
2014–15NYI721326140
2015–16NYI1121312-239
2018–19NYI70004-433
2019–20NYI2122418592
2020–21NYI1943710596
2022–23NYI610116-124
2023–24NYI500010-316
Career Playoff Totals: 81 GP, 12 G, 8 A, 20 Pts, 100 PIM, 1 +/-, 365 hits.

International play

Clutterbuck represented Canada at the international level in youth and senior competitions, primarily contributing as a physical, checking-line forward known for his heavy hitting and agitator style.

Youth International Statistics

YearTournamentGPGAPTSPIM
2004WHC-1763034
2005IIHF U1861128
2005U18 JWC520220
Youth Totals: 17 GP, 6 G, 1 A, 7 PTS, 32 PIM

Senior International Statistics

YearTournamentGPGAPTSPIM
2011IIHF WC70114
Senior Totals: 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, 4 PIM Overall International Totals: 24 GP, 6 G, 2 A, 8 PTS, 36 PIM. Clutterbuck's limited senior appearances highlighted his role as a physical enforcer, leveraging his NHL reputation for hits and penalty minutes to support team defense in high-stakes games.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/cal-clutterbuck-8473504
  2. https://www.nhl.com/news/cal-clutterbuck-to-enjoy-nhl-retirement-through-golf
  3. https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/01/14/cal-clutterbuck
  4. https://www.amny.com/sports/islanders-cal-clutterbuck-patrick-roy-1-23-24/
  5. https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/before-i-made-it-cal-clutterbuck
  6. https://www.wellandtribune.ca/sports/niagara-region/cal-has-tremendous-memories-of-welland/article_dcc30bf8-6329-5a97-acdc-07c3c0c4692d.html
  7. https://www.omha.net/news_article/show/638351-cheer-on-omha-in-the-stanley-cup-playoffs
  8. https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/retired-nhlers-thankful-for-what-they-gained-from-welland-minor-hockey/article_09f8c841-4a35-5ceb-8683-75d85223fd60.html
  9. https://niagaraindependent.ca/all-welland-good-cal-clutterbuck-retires-as-all-time-nhl-hits-leader/
  10. https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/clutterbuck-named-cudney-winner/
  11. https://cdn.ontariohockeyleague.com/archive/ohl.uploads/app/uploads/ohl/2011/05/06113938/2003-OHL-Draft-Guide.pdf
  12. https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/ohl-priority-selection/2003
  13. https://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/2003/ohl/03omain.htm
  14. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=76786
  15. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/9359/cal-clutterbuck
  16. https://www.startribune.com/clutterbuck-dealt-to-islanders-reunited-with-tavares-wild-acquires-el-nino/213760171
  17. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/cluttca01.html
  18. https://records.nhl.com/records/skater-records/real-time-since-2005-06/skater-most-hits-one-season
  19. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/nhl-hits-leaders-2009-10
  20. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask?q=nhl%2Bhits%2Bleaders%2B2010-2011
  21. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/player/_/id/6217/cal-clutterbuck
  22. https://thehockeywriters.com/islanders-clutterbuck-niederreiter-trade-revisited/
  23. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/clutterbuck-close-to-hits-record-337775608
  24. https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2016/10/12/13260102/islanders-alternate-captains-ladd-hamonic-clutterbuck
  25. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/clutterbuck-announces-retirement-from-the-nhl
  26. https://eyesonisles.com/posts/cal-clutterbuck-named-recipient-of-ny-islanders-bob-nystrom-award-01j06heqtyee
  27. https://sny.tv/articles/islanders-cal-clutterbuck-reflects-reaching-1000-games
  28. https://eyesonisles.com/posts/ny-islanders-veteran-f-cal-clutterbuck-becomes-first-nhl-player-to-hit-milestone-01ht3sv3943j
  29. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/44820472/long-islanders-f-cal-clutterbuck-announces-retirement
  30. https://nypost.com/2025/04/23/sports/ex-islander-cal-clutterbuck-announces-retirement-after-17-seasons/
  31. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/cal-clutterbuck-s-summer-islanders-internship-6375714203112
  32. https://www.theelmonters.com/p/cal-clutterbuck-msg-networks-full-time
  33. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2004-nr-005-en
  34. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2004-nr-084-en
  35. https://www.quanthockey.com/hlinka-gretzky-cup/en/seasons/2004-hlinka-gretzky-cup-players-stats.html
  36. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2005-nr-055-en
  37. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u18/en/teams/team-canada-players-2005-wjc-u18-stats.html
  38. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/worlds-canada/
  39. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/longtime-new-york-islanders-winger-cal-clutterbuck-announces-retirement-after-17-nhl-seasons-1.2293748
  40. https://www.quanthockey.com/hockey-stats/en/profile.php?player=6720
  41. https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/261/IHM2610CAN_83_7_0.pdf
  42. https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/world-championship/2011/game-summary-canada-gets-shootout-win
  43. https://www.puckworlds.com/2011/5/16/2172982/iihf-world-championship-final-standings
  44. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4425673/2023/04/20/islanders-playoffs-cal-clutterbuck-hitting/
  45. https://www.amny.com/sports/cal-clutterbuck-longevity-nhl-hits-record/
  46. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-cal-clutterbuck-4000-hits-nhl-record-florida-panthers
  47. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1709209-ranking-the-top-25-hardest-hitters-in-the-nhl
  48. https://nypost.com/2019/05/07/cal-clutterbucks-injuries-are-worse-than-anyone-imagined/
  49. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/clutterbuck-adds-1-000-games-milestone-to-list-of-greatest-hits
  50. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/3689/cal-clutterbuck
  51. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/sports/hockey/on-penalty-kill-islanders-turn-a-weakness-into-a-weapon.html
  52. https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/cal-clutterback-nhl-record-hits-o9dqttip
  53. https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/cal-clutterbuck-player-stats?category=faceoffs&seasonType=reg
  54. https://nypost.com/2020/09/08/cal-clutterbuck-takes-one-for-the-team-but-islanders-could-pay-price/
  55. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/clutterbuck-starts-the-scoring-343984224
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