The forward was also an assistant captain with the team last season, being a massive help to the crop of younger players who are finding their way through the early years of pro hockey.
Marlies head coach John Gruden and several players have added that what Clifford brings to their dressing room — over 800 games of NHL experience and two Stanley Cups with the LA Kings — is irreplaceable.
The veteran forward, known for not being afraid of anyone or anything on the ice, led the Marlies with 140 penalty minutes last season. Three situations involving Clifford, where he defended his teammates earlier this year, caught the attention of fans around the hockey world.
First, former Belleville Senators forward Bokonji Imama speared Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby in a game on Jan. 12. Clifford was on his way to the dressing room as the second period just ended, but returned to the ice after seeing what happened to his teammate.
Clifford and Imama were both suspended for three games.
A few months later, he tried to fight former Marlies defenseman (and Maple Leafs prospect) Joseph Duszak after the defender scored and had some words for Toronto’s bench while playing with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds on Mar. 9.
The most notable situation came after Belleville eliminated Toronto in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs in late April. Clifford and Imama exchanged words in the handshake line before the Marlies forward went after the Senators’ forward.
The two on-ice officials separated the two players before anything could happen.
I’ve been told that Imama had crossed the line with a chirp during Toronto and Belleville’s playoff series and the situation came to a boiling point during the handshake line following Game 3.
Clifford re-signing with the Marlies gives the team two-thirds of their leadership group back. Toronto’s other assistant captain, Joseph Blandisi, who had a career-high 25 goals and 34 assists in 70 games, is yet to sign a contract for next season.
“They’re obviously a big part of this. They’ve obviously helped me grow as a leader as well. I thought we had a good mesh of different personalities in between the three of us,” Marlies captain Logan Shaw said after the season ended.
“I have nothing but great things to say. I mean, they’re two of my best friends. I want to play with them until my career’s over if it was possible. The way they lead, the way they play, they’re both vocal guys, but I think both of them lead by example as well. They play hard each and every night. They practice hard. They battle.”
Clifford has played for the Kings, Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues during his 15-year career. This upcoming season will be the fourth consecutive year he plays AHL games with the Marlies.
he plays AHL games with the Marlies.
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