Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
Brandt Clarke He has never been one to be afraid to take chances, to push the pace.
The test of any full-time NHL defenseman, of course, is knowing when to push and when to back off. Every young blueliner — especially a top prospect like Clarke — has to go through that experience. Opponents at the NHL and AHL levels can take advantage of some small mistakes, a little hesitation, or a little mistimed decision.
That's what the AHL is for, and Clarke gets that line.
He's a “gamekeeper,” a longtime AHL playmaker TJ Tynan said his Ontario Reign counterpart. “On any shift, he can do something out of nothing, and that's what most people can't do, especially on the back end. He is in full possession of it.”
Clarke's vocals and delivery are very similar to his performance on the ice. He does both with authority, humility and confidence.
“We believe in our team,” Clarke said heading into Reign's Pacific Division Finals series against Coachella Valley. “We have a lot of confidence that we can continue to live. We are reaching the top at the right time.”
This campaign is more stable for Clarke than last year, when he played in the NHL, AHL, Ontario Hockey League and the World Junior Championship. The eighth overall pick by Los Angeles in the 2021 NHL Draft, Clarke was largely left to put in a season with the Reign in 2023-24. He came out firing, scoring 10 goals on opening night. With elite skating, vision, and a willingness to take chances, his 36 assists led all AHL rookies, and he recorded 46 points in 50 games for the Reign. He received an invitation to the AHL All-Star Classic, where he went a perfect 4-for-4 in the shooting event. He was voted to the 2023-24 AHL All-Rookie Team and the AHL All-Star Second Team.
And for good measure, he collected two goals and four assists in 16 NHL games with Los Angeles, his first NHL goal being an overtime winner in Boston on Feb. 17.
Off the ice, Clarke is willing to push to make something happen. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the OHL and disrupted his young career, 17-year-old Clarke packed his bags and headed to Slovakia. Playing with his older brother GraemeClarke ended up getting 26 games against level competition.
“There have been ups and downs,” Clarke admitted, “but I'm just trying to work through that. That's how the pro season goes. There are many games. You have to learn how not to let the highs get too high and not let the lows get too low. Sometimes you play the best players, they will burn you. You have to know how to get back to it, have a good next shift.”
Clarke and Reign's coaching staff have worked on helping him know when to push the game — and when not — against the pros. Choosing his moments.
“I think I did a good job on that,” Clarke said. “I'm still picking my moments when I want to handle the puck, maybe bring it down, make a play or something like that. But there are many talented players in the whole league.”
Regardless of how it ends this season, Clarke and the Kings will come away satisfied with his season. But Clarke's personality is to want more, to want more. This series against the Firebirds provides that opportunity, and Clarke will be a key factor in whether the Reign can overtake the Pacific Division regular season champion.
“I'm happy with the steps I've taken in becoming a complete player,” said Clarke. “I'm very happy with the way the season went, and I'm very happy with the success of the team. I'm looking forward to what's to come.”
TheAHL.com features writer Patrick Williams has covered the American Hockey League for nearly two decades at outlets including NHL.com, Sportsnet, TSN, Hockey News, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and SLAM ! Sports, and most recently was the host of The Hockey News On The 'A' podcast. He was the recipient of the AHL's James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the league's top scorer in 2016.
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