Biography

Call 1.800.966.1380 to contact Wendel Clark booking agent, publicist, manager, pr firm, representative and management company for booking Wendel Clark speaker appearances, autograph signing, endorsement deals or hiring Wendel Clark as a keynote speaker for your next event. Find Wendel Clark official website information, speaker fees, booking fees, costs and schedule. Hockey pro, Wendel Clark, was born on October 25, 1966 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan. Wendel Clark is a retired Canadian former ice hockey pro. Clark was captain of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs of from 1991 to 1994. During this time, he was often referred to as "Captain Crunch," as he played a very physical and intense style of hockey and wore a moustache similar to that of Cap'n Crunch.

Wendel Clark came into the league swinging, and refused to back to the the league's toughest players, racking up 227 PIM during his rookie year. Clark quickly gained a reputation for hard-nosed hockey, showing little regard for his opponents or himself. His most famous check is perhaps his hit on unsuspecting St. Louis' defenseman Bruce Bell. Coming from opposite corners, Clark caught Bell with his head down, the devastating hit left Bell unconcious.

Early in his career, Clark fought all the league's toughest players, quickly gaining a reputation as a feared pugilist. Despite his size, Clark more than held his own against much larger opponents, showing a ferocity seldom matched throughout the league. The list of opponents is like a who's who of league tough-guys: Craig Berube,Bob Probert,Cam Neely,Rick Tocchet,Mark Tinordi,Garth Butcher,Marty McSorley,Mike Peluso,John Kordic, and of course the not so epic fight with retreating Denis Savard.

Due to age, reputation and injuries, Wendel Clark's fights became less frequent during latter part of his career. But despite the numerous injuries, Clark's ability to change a game with a single bodycheck continued right up to his eventually retirement.

In June 1994, with his value at an all-time high, Clark was traded to the Quebec Nordiques in a multi-player deal which notably involved a young Mats Sundin. He was succeeded as Maple Leafs captain by Gilmour. Clark played the lockout-shortened 1994–95 NHL season in Quebec.

After the Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche, Clark became embroiled in a contract dispute with the team. As a result, shortly before the beginning of the 1995-96 campaign, he was sent to the New York Islanders in a three-way trade that brought Claude Lemieux to Colorado and Steve Thomas to the New Jersey Devils. Clark played 58 games with the Islanders, but finished the season back in Toronto.

In 1998 Wendel Clark signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was dealt at the trade deadline to the Detroit Red Wings, where he finished the 1998-99 season. Clark signed with the Chicago Blackhawks later in 1999, but only appeared in 13 games with the team.

Upon returning to the Leafs in 2000, after being benched by the Blackhawks, Clark was not particularly effective for the remainder of the regular season, but he found his form for the Leafs' playoff run. The love that Leaf fans had for their former captain could be seen when they gave a 1:30 standing ovation after Clark barreled into the New Jersey zone and hit the post in Game 1. During Game 4, Clark assisted on the game-winning goal that gave the Leafs a 2–1 victory and tied the series with the Devils.

Wendel Clark is now employed by the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club as a community ambassador and public relations. Clark can be seen at virtually all Leaf home games, usually with his wife Denise and children. The Toronto Maple Leafs will honour the former captain by raising his legendary number 17 to the rafters November 22, 2008 at the Air Canada Centre. He owns a restaurant, Wendel Clark's Classic Grill and Sports Lounge, in Vaughan, Ontario,and resides in King City.

PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent PFP is a speakers bureau and booking agency providing Wendel Clark speaker, personal appearance and endorsement information. Booking Wendel Clark for appearances, as a motivational speaker, keynote speaker, for a fundraising event, grand opening, television or radio commercial, PR campaign or trade show is easy through our agency. For more info, contact Wendel Clark through PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent at 1.800.966.1380.