Background
Clark, Chris was born on March 8, 1976 in South Windsor, Connecticut, United States.
Clark, Chris was born on March 8, 1976 in South Windsor, Connecticut, United States.
Clark played four years for the Clarkson Golden Knights in the ECAC (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I), posting 128 points (63 goals, 65 assists) and 392 penalty minutes in 142 games. He was named to the ECAC Second All-Star team in 1998.
College Professional Clark was drafted in the third round, 77th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1994 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Clark played five seasons with the Flames. In his final season with the team, he played in every game and helped the team to the 2004 Finals, which they lost to Tampa Bay.
Clark was traded to the Washington Capitals as a restricted free agent on August 4, 2005, in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2006 Entry Draft.
In January 2006, he joined the Capitals" top line, which also included left wing Alexander Ovechkin and center Dainius Zubrus. The Capitals named Clark their new team captain on September 13, 2006.
Playing on the top line, Clark had a career year in goals (30), assists (24) and points (54) during the 2006-2007 season. Clark was injured in the third period of a 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on November 28, 2007, and missed the next eighteen games with a strained groin muscle.
Clark returned to the lineup on February 13, 2008, but played only one shift against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Clark kicked out his skate in an attempt to stop a pass when he aggravated the groin injury. Clark missed the rest of the regular season and playoffs. After suffering a wrist injury in February 2009, Clark required surgery which ended his 2008-2009 season.
On December 28, 2009, Clark, along with defenseman Milan Jurcina, was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for winger Jason Chimera.
Clark was the third longest tenured captain in the history of the Washington Capitals, behind only Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Langway and Dale Hunter. During the 2011 off season Clark accepted a try-out invitation from the Boston Bruins.
Despite having an impressive pre-season, he was released from the Bruins training camp on October 5, 2011 without a contract. On November 3, 2011, Clark was signed to a professional tryout agreement with the Providence Bruins.
Clark was released by the Providence Bruins on November 21, 2011 after six games due to the fact he failed to score a point during his tryout period.
After he was released by the Providence Bruins, Clark took up a scouting position within the Blue Jackets organization for the remainder of the season before being named as the team"s development coach. During the 2004-2005 National Hockey League lockout Clark continued his career in Europe. First Clark played through a short stint with Swiss team South Carolina Bern, then with Norwegian outfit Storhamar Dragons.
In 2007 Clark was chosen as the captain of the United States of America hockey team for the World Championships, where he scored two goals and added an assist in six games.
Works with Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation.