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Kyle Clifford

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Kyle Clifford
Clifford with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals
Born (1991-01-13) January 13, 1991 (age 33)
Ayr, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 211 lb (96 kg; 15 st 1 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams		 Toronto Marlies
Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs
St. Louis Blues
NHL draft 35th overall, 2009
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2009–present

Kyle Frank Clifford (born January 13, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (35th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and spent the majority of his career with the team, though also made appearances with the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. Clifford is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings.

Early life

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Clifford was born on January 13, 1991, in Ayr, Ontario, Canada. He began playing ice hockey after seeing his older brothers play the sport.[1]

Playing career

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Clifford with the Barrie Colts on February 21, 2010

Clifford began his minor hockey career with the Ayr Flames[2] before spending six seasons with Cambridge Minor Hockey.[3] He was eventually drafted by the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[3]

He spent three seasons with the Colts, amassing 45 goals and 100 points in 184 games, also totaling 327 penalty minutes.[4] During the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected in the second round, 35th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. He was signed to an entry-level contract by the Kings on September 22, 2009.[5] After the 2009–10 season, Clifford joined the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Manchester Monarchs for the postseason.[6]

Los Angeles Kings

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In 2010, Clifford was among those invited to the Canada men's junior team training camp[7] preparing for the 2010 championship. However, Clifford earned a roster spot with the Kings for the 2010–11 season.[8] On December 9, he scored his first career goal in a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames.[9] His continued spot on the Kings prevented him from joining Team Canada for the 2010 championships.[10] He primarily played on the fourth line role that could occasionally fight fight.[11] In his second season, the Kings won the 2012 Stanley Cup, defeating the New Jersey Devils in six games.[12] Clifford only appeared in three postseason games.[13]

Clifford in 2011.

Clifford joined the Ontario Reign of the ECHL during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, appearing in nine games.[14] He returned to the Kings after the lockout, scoring 7 goals and 14 points in the abbreviated season and earned a new two-year contract with the Kings at the end of the season.[15] The Kings once again won the Stanley Cup in 2014, defeating the New York Rangers in five games.[16] Clifford (alongside Tyler Toffoli) assisted on the championship-winning goal scored by Alec Martinez in double-overtime.[17] He appeared in 24 postseason games, scoring one goal and seven points.[13] During the 2014–15 season he signed a five-year extension with the Kings.[11]

During the 2018–19 season, while in his ninth season with the Kings, Clifford appeared in 72 games, producing a career high 21 points. His tenure with the team ended on February 5, 2020, as Clifford and Jack Campbell were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Trevor Moore and third-round picks in 2020 and 2021.[18]

During 7 of his 10 seasons with the Kings, he led the team in penalty minutes, with his rookie season of 141 being his highest total.

Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues

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He made his Maple Leafs debut on February 7 against the Anaheim Ducks.[19] He scored his first goal with Toronto on February 18, 2020.[20] He finished the season with the one goal and three points in 16 games with the Leafs.[21]

As a free agent from the Maple Leafs, Clifford left to sign a two-year, $2 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on October 11, 2020.[22] In his first season with the Blues, Clifford played in 50 games, registering 4 goals and 7 points. The following season, on November 15, 2021, after appearing in only two games, the Blues placed Clifford on waivers in order to reactivate Oskar Sundqvist, as the team would be $900,000 over the salary cap with him on the roster; Clifford on waivers would clear $1 million in salary cap space and allow the team to become salary cap compliant.[23] Clifford cleared waivers the following day, and a few hours later was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations.[24] He was assigned to the team's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.[21] He was recalled from the Marlies on November 23 for the first time,[25] and spent the season bouncing from the Maple Leafs and the Marlies.[26] Clifford played in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Maple Leafs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the game, Clifford was given a major penalty for boarding Ross Colton and was suspended for the following game.[27] The Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs by the Lightning in seven games.[28]

Clifford spent the majority of the 2022–23 season in the AHL with the Marlies, scoring eight goals and 20 points in 46 games. He also played in two games with the Maple Leafs, going scoreless. He attended the Maple Leafs 2023 training camp, but failed to make the team and was waived.[29] After going unclaimed Clifford was assigned to the Marlies to start the 2023–24 season.[30][31] Remaining with the Marlies for the duration of the season, Clifford recorded a professional high of 18 assist and 28 points through 53 regular season games.

Having concluded his NHL contract with the Maple Leafs, Clifford opted to continue his tenure with the Marlies by signing as a free agent to a one-year AHL deal for the 2024–25 season on July 31, 2024.[32]

Personal life

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Clifford and his wife Paige have three sons together.[33]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Barrie Colts OHL 66 1 14 15 83 9 0 1 1 4
2008–09 Barrie Colts OHL 60 16 12 28 133 5 0 0 0 13
2009–10 Barrie Colts OHL 58 28 29 57 111 17 5 9 14 28
2009–10 Manchester Monarchs AHL — — — — — 7 0 2 2 12
2010–11 Los Angeles Kings NHL 76 7 7 14 141 6 3 2 5 7
2011–12 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 5 7 12 123 3 0 0 0 2
2012–13 Ontario Reign ECHL 9 4 3 7 2 — — — — —
2012–13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 48 7 7 14 51 14 0 2 2 8
2013–14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 71 3 5 8 81 24 1 6 7 39
2014–15 Los Angeles Kings NHL 80 6 9 15 87 — — — — —
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 56 3 6 9 55 4 0 1 1 0
2015–16 Ontario Reign AHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 73 6 6 12 92 — — — — —
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 50 6 4 10 48 4 0 0 0 6
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 72 11 10 21 96 — — — — —
2019–20 Los Angeles Kings NHL 53 6 8 14 45 — — — — —
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 16 1 2 3 23 5 0 0 0 0
2020–21 St. Louis Blues NHL 50 4 3 7 30 4 0 1 1 0
2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Marlies AHL 9 3 0 3 6 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 23 1 2 3 31 1 0 0 0 15
2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 2 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2022–23 Toronto Marlies AHL 46 8 12 20 78 7 4 4 8 11
2023–24 Toronto Marlies AHL 53 10 18 28 140 3 1 3 4 25
NHL totals 753 66 78 144 905 65 4 12 16 77

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada U18 4th 6 0 0 0 16
Junior totals 6 0 0 0 16

Awards and honours

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Award Year
NHL
Stanley Cup (Los Angeles Kings) 2012, 2014 [34]

References

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  1. ^ Clifford, Kyle. "My Story: Kyle Clifford". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  2. ^ "Ayr's KFC helps push Kings into playoffs". The Record. April 8, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b McLachlin, Chris (December 10, 2016). "Ayr's Hometown Hero – Kyle Clifford". PJHL Network. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Bowe, Raymond (February 6, 2020). "'Cliff' lands with Leafs following trade with Los Angeles Kings". Barrie Today. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "Kings, Kyle Clifford agree to a 3-year entry-level contract". Los Angeles Times. September 22, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Kramer, Lindsay (May 20, 2010). "Clifford comes up big for Monarchs". NHL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  7. ^ "Leblanc, Clifford step up at Canadian camp". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. August 8, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Arritt, Dan (November 12, 2010). "Kings: Getting to know Kyle Clifford". ESPN. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Elliott, Helene (9 December 2010). "Kings defeat Calgary, 2-1, to extend winning streak to three games". Los Angeles Times Blog. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  10. ^ Beacon, Bill (December 12, 2010). "Gudbranson shines at Canada camp". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Peters, Chris (February 25, 2015). "Kings sign Kyle Clifford to five-year, $8 million extension". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  12. ^ Goss, Nicholas. "LA Kings Complete Cinderella Run to Claim Stanley Cup Glory". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Kyle Clifford Stats: Career Playoff". NHL.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Hoornstra, J. P. (November 20, 2012). "Hockey: Kings left wing Kyle Clifford signs with Ontario Reign". Pasadena Star-News. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  15. ^ Teaford, Elliot (August 3, 2013). "Kings sign free agent forward Kyle Clifford". Orange County Register. Retrieved November 25, 2022 – via Daily Breeze.
  16. ^ "L.A. Kings win 2014 Stanley Cup". CBS News. June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  17. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (June 14, 2014). "Alec Martinez blacked out after Stanley Cup winning double-OT goal". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  18. ^ McCarthy, Dave (February 6, 2020). "Campbell, Clifford traded to Maple Leafs by Kings". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  19. ^ Simpson, Krista; Grace, Tony (February 8, 2020). "Kyle Clifford's hometown excited to see his Maple Leafs debut". CTV News Kitchener. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Clifford gets 1st goal with Maple Leafs after Spezza shoots puck off his skate". Sportsnet. February 18, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Hoad, Michael (November 16, 2021). "Maple Leafs re-acquire tough guy Kyle Clifford in trade with Blues". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Blues sign Clifford to two-year deal". St. Louis Blues. October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020 – via NHL.com.
  23. ^ "Blues place F Clifford on waivers". TSN. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  24. ^ "Blues trade Clifford to Maple Leafs". St. Louis Blues. November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  25. ^ Fox, Luke (November 23, 2021). "'Over the moon' Kyle Clifford joins Maple Leafs in California". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "Maple Leafs recall Kyle Clifford, Carl Dahlstrom on emergency basis". Sportsnet. March 28, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  27. ^ "Leafs' Kyle Clifford to miss Game 2 against Lightning for boarding Ross Colton". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. May 3, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  28. ^ Fox, Luke (May 14, 2022). "Maple Leafs show up but bow out: 'This one hurts more'". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "Maple Leafs' Kyle Clifford: Waived by Toronto". CBS Sports. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  30. ^ "Maple Leafs goaltender Martin Jones, five others clear waivers". Sportsnet. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Barden, Nick (October 8, 2023). "Maple Leafs Waive Martin Jones and Others to Clear Cap Space Ahead of NHL Regular Season Roster Submission Deadline". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "Marlies sign Clifford for 2024-25 season". Toronto Marlies. July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  33. ^ "TEDDY Talks: Kyle Clifford". nhl.com. National Hockey League. 31 March 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "LA Kings win 2014 Stanley Cup". CBS Sports. 2014-06-14. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
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