Career
In his National Hockey League career, he has also played for the San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers, drafted by the former in the sixth round, 175th overall, at the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Professional
Clowe played two full seasons with the Cleveland Barons, San Jose"s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, and was named team Most Valuable Player in 2004-2005, before splitting time between the Barons and the Sharks in 2005-2006. Clowe then appeared in 18 games with the Sharks in 2005-2006, and was signed to a three-year contract extension in the off-season worth United States$1.625 million.
The contract was a two-way deal for two of the first three years.
About halfway through the first season of the contract, in 2006-2007, Clowe was given an opportunity to play on the Sharks" first line and powerplay unit alongside Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, where he responded with a career-high 34 points in 58 games. Clowe scored his first career National Hockey League hat-trick on January 6, 2007, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored his first playoff goal on April 13 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Nashville Predators. Securing his roster spot on the Sharks, he became known for his hard checking game and willingness to fight when needed.
Clowe played 11 games for the Sharks in 2007-2008, then went on injured reserve on October 28, 2007, due to torn knee ligaments.
He returned to the lineup on March 30, 2008, in time for the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he posted nine points in 13 games, which was second-best on the team, behind only Joe Thornton. On July 6, 2009, the Sharks re-signed Clowe to a four-year contract extension, paying him $3.5 million in the first three years and $4 million in the final year. On April 5, 2012, Clowe reached out from the bench with his stick to illegally interfere with Los Angeles Kings centreman Jarret Stoll.
Although review deemed the move illegal, there was no supplemental discipline by the National Hockey League. On November 6, 2012, during the 2012-2013 National Hockey League lockout, Clowe signed with the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL. On February 22, 2013, during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Clowe left the bench to start a fight with Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw.
Clowe was assessed a minor penalty for roughing and a game misconduct for leaving the bench on an illegal line change to start a fight. The Sharks lost the game 2–1.
After supplemental review, Clowe was given a two-game suspension by the League. On April 2, 2013, Clowe, with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2012-2013 season, was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a secondand a third-round pick in 2013, as well as a conditional second-round pick in 2014.
On July 5, 2013, Clowe, as an unrestricted free agent, signed a five-year, $24.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
On September 12, 2015 Clowe retired from the National Hockey League after team doctors refused to clear him to return to the ice following a concussion initially sustained in a November 6, 2014 game against the Saint Louis Blues.