Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Minnesota Wild
- Name: Cal Clutterbuck
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 196 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-11-18
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Welland, Ontario
- Acquired: 3rd round (72nd overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Cal Clutterbuck
Prospect Grade: 6.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2005-06: Clutterbuck completed his third OHL season and has improved in each one. Originally drafted in the first round by the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors at the 2003 OHL Priority Draft, Clutterbuck was traded to the Oshawa Generals halfway through the 2004-05 season.
He adjusted well to the trade and, in 27 games with Oshawa last season Clutterbuck tallied 18 points. This season he matured even further, carrying more team responsibilities as alternate captain and achieving the best offensive production of his junior career. In 66 games with the Generals in 2005-06, Clutterbuck registered 68 points (35 goals, 33 assists). Seen as a top prospect in the OHL, Clutterbuck also participated in the CHL Top Prospects game and skill competition in January in Ottawa. After playing very well in the game, Clutterbuck increased his already high stock. The Wild drafted him in the third round, 72nd overall, in 2006.
2006-07: Member of Wild's Traverse City prospect tournament team. OHL career best for Clutterbuck with 89 points and 54 assists, while equalling his previous season's goals with 35, including six shorthanded and 19 on the power play in 65 games for Oshawa. Third in scoring for a much-improved Oshawa team that went to the OHL playoffs for the first time since 2004. Oshawa won their first round series against Kingston before being swept by Belleville in the second round. Clutterbuck added eight goals and five assists in nine playoff games.
2007-08: Played in his second Traverse City tournament for the Wild. In his first pro season with the Houston Aeros (AHL), Clutterbuck scored 11 goals with 13 assists in 73 games. Called up for two NHL games with the Wild in the fall of 2007.
Read HF's 2006 interview with Cal Clutterbuck.
Talent Analysis
Clutterbuck is an agitator with good speed and acceleration who excels by outworking everyone else on the ice and never passes on an opportunity to put a body check on an opponent. He's a tireless forechecker, will battle for every loose puck against anyone, and does it every shift. In short, he's a guy you don't want to play against. While an effective scorer in juniors, perhaps helped by skating with John Tavares, he will typically grind out a few goals, including a few shorthanded tallies, at the pro level. He does have a decent shot, but won't score many pretty goals. To be successful he needs have the discipline to be a pest all the way up to the line of taking bad penalties without crossing it.
Future
Hard work has paid off as the NHL is within reach for Clutterbuck as a third or fourth line checker/pest/penalty killer. With one call up in 2007 already on his resume, a full-time job should open up for him in the near future. He will likely start the 2008-09 season in Houston, but should the Wild need an injury replacement on one of their checking lines, he is likely the top candidate.
Stats
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2003-04 | Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL | 60 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 112 |
| 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 |
Profile Last Updated: March, 16th 2009
HF Quick Navigation
