Wendel Clark
Wendel L. Clark ( born October 25, 1966 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who in 1985 to 2000 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks the National Hockey League played.
Career
Wendel Clark played as a junior in the Western Hockey League ( WHL) with the Saskatoon Blades. In the NHL Entry Draft 1985, he was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs first and that was certainly a great burden on a team that just stuck in deep crisis. He managed in the very first season of the breakthrough and with 34 goals in his first regular season he just missed the Calder Memorial Trophy, which went to Gary Suter this season. But there were no specific technical skills, has been committed for Clark, but his heart with which he knew how to decide games. He was physically not too big, but he did not check out of the way. He was here but not a bully but a more robust player. 1987 in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, he was promoted with a cross-check to the gate and pulled it a serious back injury. Only towards the end of the following season, he was back on the ice. The long pause certainly prevented a greater career. He played nine years in Toronto, the last three of which as captain before he moved in exchange for Mats Sundin to Quebec. After the end of the season, which was due only short by a strike, he moved to the New York Islanders. At season's end the prodigal son but again returned to his Maple Leafs. After two full seasons, it went for Clark back away from Toronto. One and a half years and three teams later, he was back in Toronto and a special event showed the closeness of the fans to her ex- captain. In the first playoff game against the New Jersey Devils Clark stormed into the opponent's third, but hit the post. The fans cheered the scene. Probably no other player has four minutes to get a standing ovation during a game, just because he almost scored a goal.
Twice Wendel Clark took part in the NHL All-Star Game. He keeps it at 13 years the record for the longest interval between two participants.
On 22 November 2008, the Toronto Maple Leafs honored where you take his number 17 to the honored numbers. A banner with his number and a picture of him hangs in the Air Canada Arena. Other than with other teams, the number is still assigned.