Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.sarniasting.com
- Name: Richard Clune
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 188 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-04-25
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
- Acquired: Trade from Dallas, 2008
- Playing In: Pro
Richard Clune
Prospect Grade: 5.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: After spending three seasons with the Sarnia Sting, Clune was traded to Barrie, where he had a breakout year. The native of Toronto scored 32 goals, half coming on the power play, and 78 points in 67 games, good for third on the team. It was his first point-per-game season. He also amassed 151 penalty minutes, a team high, and had a +18 rating. Clune carried his momentum into the playoffs and helped Barrie win a playoff round, finishing with seven points in eight games. After the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs, Clune signed a try-out contract with Iowa and got his first taste of pro hockey.
2007-08: Clune road the rails between Idaho and Iowa, never contributing much to the scoresheet with 18 points in 57 games combined. However, his combined 178 penalty minutes demonstrated his role as a middle-weight enforcer or agitator. Clune was traded from Los Angeles for Lauri Tukonen during the offseason.
2008-09: Injuries hampered his season and limited Clune to only 35 games with Manchester. But in his short time, it became apparent that Clune had all the tools to be an excellent enforcer at the NHL level, capable of both dropping the gloves and contributing more than just a handful of points. He battled Kevin Westgarth as the lead enforcer prospect in the organization, even if only as a middle-weight.
Talent Analysis
Clune is a good skating forward who plays with an edge despite his average size frame. He goes into the corners hard and finishes his checks. If he can put on some more muscle over the next few years he should be capable of putting up some pretty big numbers in his last two seasons in the league, especially as Sarnia improves with him. Clune is a good skater and plays with an edge despite an average-sized frame. He is not afraid to go into the danger areas and is a terrific forechecker, always finishing his checks. He has put some muscle since being drafted, but still needs to work on is his intensity.
Future
Clune may earn a position with the Los Angeles Kings very shortly as a tough and gritty middle-weight enforcer and high energy forechecker. Will begin the season on the injured list due to a training camp injury, but could match up with Kevin Westgarth in the near future as a 1-2 physical punch for the Kings this season and beyond.
Stats
Profile Last Updated: September, 30th 2009
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