Wendel Clark career highlights | NHL Rewind

One of the only reasons to watch the Maple Leafs in the 80s, watch Wendel Clark and his fists of fury.
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[@AidWoW]

My family moved to Ontario in 1990, I was 9 at the time, my brother was 7. Our new neighbours gave us a "welcome gift" with a bunch of items and trinkets that they thought would teach us about Ontario's culture. One of the items was a fake Wendel Clark moustache. We wore the moustache every time we played road hockey, mini-sticks, and hockey on the frozen lake for many, many years! All of our friends wanted one and were quite envious of our fake 'staches. Clark was legendary in our household (and still is)! 28 years later I still have that fake moustache! It's pretty beat up and nasty looking now, but it brings back a lot of really good memories.

[@brianallen2358]

Thanks, that's a great story.

[@EmitRelevart]

@AidWoW Thanks for sharing. Your story brought back some good memories of my own :)

[@johnnynitross]

God I miss Bob Cole and Harry Neale on Saturday Nights !!!

[@ChromeWheelz1977]

You said it. I never understood the hate these guys get now.

[@stinkfinger630]

Those guys, Cole and Neale were TERRIBLE!

[@RunTwoWin]

Then there's Joe & Ralphie!

[@sayno2bugs]

Wendel did it all. How I’d love to see another Wendel Clark on the Leafs now. Those were exciting games to watch.

[@cujorocks1]

sayno2bugs they had one, his name was Nazem Kadri and they decided to trade him. Only thing he didn’t do as much as clark was fight.

[@EmitRelevart]

@@cujorocks1 As much as I love Kadri and wish the Leafs had kept him, he is no Wendel Clark.

[@1madmaxx80]

No offense to Naz, but he couldn't hold Wendel's jock strap.

[@ginor8416]

That was real Canadian hockey. For the safety of the players the game cannot be played that way anymore. The games are still great, but I miss those days

[@stevenreid2571]

What do you mean??? Y'all had him, David Clarkson 😂

[@tissuebox7817]

One of the best captains in leafs history!

[@jaerockchalk3216]

THE BEST in leafs history . Its not even close !

[@robertdehaw2321]

@@jaerockchalk3216 one game

[@conantroutman76]

Bruins fan here, but nothing but love and respect for this guy. One of my all time favorite players.

[@davefearnley4767]

Nice to get respect from opposing teams. I'm a Leaf fan but loved watching number 4 for the Bruins.

[@radziklvp3442]

Leafs fan here. Thanks. Sibas is one of mine favorite players too.

[@craiggagnon8407]

He'd have made a nice Bruin my friend, but I'm glad he was a Leaf!

[@ChromeWheelz1977]

There will never be another like him, ever! Not on the Leafs, not in the league. Ty Mr Clark for the years.

[@MrKruger88]

I forgot how often Clark would drop guys with a single punch. Man, he was incredible at every aspect of the game. An underrated sniper to boot!

[@Ronsolo767]

I still remember being in highschool and talking about who the Leafs were going to draft first overall and when I heard his name was Wendel I was like what? His first year this guy just hit anything moving and he will always be my favourite Leaf player. Like that sign "Wendel is God". I would give anything for the Leafs to have this guy on their team now. i was at the game when he punched McSorely after he hit Gilmour. MLG was never louder. Wendel is a legend.

[@brucele5096]

Wendel clark was a captain but also an enforcer who made sure nobody bullied his teammates💪🏽i miss seeing him stand up for others 😃

[@ThatBorderlineGuy]

Saw Wendel play Detroit in a pre-season game and I was at ice level. I was shocked at how good a skater he was. Wendel had a ton of skill but his heart was so big he'd fight people 3 or 4 inches taller than him regularly and it lead to a lot of injuries. I'm not a fan of thug hockey, but Wendel wasn't a thug and he wasn't dirty. He was just tough and he had such a big heart. Much respect to this great Canadian.

[@BuffaloBeerReviews]

i grew up in Watertown, NY, our Hockey Night in Canada broadcast was about it for hockey, so he quickly became an era favorite of mine. Love that style of skill and tough as nails no BS.

[@mikedavis5854]

Oswego ny here , with same story CKWS in Kingston On.

[@phils6733]

If we had a captain like this today the leafs would be a much different team. Clark was a true heart and soul guy

[@luke4701]

pound for pound you know the rest love this guy

[@thegamersparadise]

Crazy that he came into the NHL as a Defenceman. I wonder who told him to Try Forward?... Whoever's idea it was, genius!!! Went on to be one of the best in NHL History!

[@johnnybgood75]

In 1985, Wendel Clark played in the World Junior Championships and joined the team as an Offensive Defenceman. It wasn't until the Coach Terry Simpson basically told him he would be a better forward that Clark decided to try and make the switch. He would go on to play both Defence and Forward in the World Junior Championships but played as a forward for the rest of his career in the NHL.

[@krog21]

Leafs history*** not NHL

[@stevenreid2571]

@@krog21 ehhhh.. easily a top 50-30 player. I'd say that's one of the bests.

[@kevinmalone1048]

In my opinion as a fan during his era ... there will never be a more impactful player for the leafs. He battled injury from sacrificing himself every game. Toughest leaf captain in a fight .... hands down. I don’t expect there ever will be either.

[@LowKeyContender]

they dont build them like that anymore. too soft. clark = tough as nails ........ the leafs today....... HA god bless em.

[@ANoobJust]

The last of those players are on their way out of the league. Could argue Getzlaf, Perry and Jamie Benn are the last of the tough guys that could put up points. Maybe Tom Wilson is in that conversation too but there's not many left

[@Russianfeels529]

They don’t make them like Wendel anyone

[@celticrisinerie6938]

Wendel was the epitomy of the the complete hockey player...Eric Lindros is a very very close second.

[@robbieveinot9330]

miss the old time hockey . i wish wendel clark was still playing

[@radziklvp3442]

Wow. Beating up on Probert is impressive like nothing else. Oh and on Mscorley.

[@FACrazyCanuck]

A player you want to go to war with. Loved watching him play.

[@georgebenevides]

Who else is enjoying some heart during this covid time. The new NHL will never see another Wendel Clark. People dont realize how good Wendel Clark was. He was the most complete player. Had one of the best wrist shots, slap shots, Fighting, Checking, Sacrificing his body for the team. When the team needed a spark Clark was there, either by a fast goal, fight, check, anything to start a domino effect where the rest of the team would follow. Don't tease the Bull your not going to like it.Those memories will be missed but never forgotten.

[@craiggagnon8407]

funny you mention the Clapper.... he almost never used it, but he was 100+ in the Leafs team hardest shot more than once, he just didn't enter the competition. Big Al won it with the same speed. Gotta love it

[@wendellcramer3532]

A living legend and one of the greatest heroes of the leafs ever, ya don’t see so much all around talent! I can honestly say, meeting Wendel would be awesome, especially because I’ve always been a leafs fan and we have the same name!!!

[@ANoobJust]

Another fellow wendel?! My dad named me after him too. Clark is a really nice guy. Met him as a kid and I was there for an autograph. He asked what my name was, so I told him it was wendel. He starts laughing and says "no seriously kid, what's your name" ..... it's wendel. My dad named me after you Clark's face lit up and he says "no way. So I'm writing to wendel from wendel?" One of the coolest experiences I've ever had

[@seegee9]

​@@ANoobJustvery cool. Do you still have it?

[@ANoobJust]

@seegee9 my dad does back home. it's framed in his man cave with all the other leafs stuff. I move alot so figured I'd just leave it there for safe keeping

[@briangraham1024]

Even Gretzky admitted that Dougie Gilmour was the best player in the League back in '92 and '93. With Wendel on his wing there's no question that those two were indeed a formidable pair. It was a wonderful time to be a Leafs fan. 😊

[@gavinknight87]

Wendel Clark was my Favorite Leaf Ever.And one of the best I ever seen.Fight score he could do it all.i think they would have won the Cup in 1993 if the pentle on Gretzky on Gilmore for HIgh sticking but the ref didn't call it and that was it for Toronto.Wendle had heart there will never be another player like Clark.

[@ginor8416]

We'll win a cup for him

[@andrewmckeown6786]

Im a little to young to really remember Sittler. Wendel is the greatest Leaf and my personal hero!

[@floydthebarber6249]

Toughest 46 goal scorer in the history of NHL

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Clark toppled Peluso? I didnt know that. Peluso was one of the all-time best fighters in NHL history. Wendel's legend grows and grows every year.

[@jonnywishbone17]

That was fantastic! Thanks, from Wendel's biggest fan in Thunder Bay

[@thegamersparadise]

Guy was the best

[@tyingearl8133]

What a badass

[@IPeach10]

Talk about a guy who could do it all! Wendel Clark, IMO, one of the best Maple Leafs...ever! He is the kind of player the current Leafs are missing.

[@randyhuke3773]

The best way to sum up Clarky is, he was well worth the price of admission. He earned his salary and then some. Can't say that about many players.

[@corycoulter5140]

Best leaf ever

[@ginor8416]

No one would argue

[@F.C.mobile_edits]

@@ginor8416 Matthews is better.

[@stephenmiller2337]

One of the most complete players in Leaf history. He could skate, he could score, he could check, and he could fight. He's also a nice guy to meet.

[@JoeLegero]

The most complete player I ever saw. He could do it all. I always wondered, if he had another 3 inches of height I think he would have been unstoppable, but if he had that extra height and size would he have worked as hard? I will never know.

[@ginor8416]

He used his size and strength to his advantage much like Tie Domi or Mike Tyson for that matter

[@celticrisinerie6938]

The best video on Clarke I've viewed.

[@juanurzua478]

I came from Chile in 1987 and I start loving the game of hockey, watching Wendel Clark play. So much heart!. Exciting player to watch. I wish I have a picture with him. Ohh a farm boy like me!🇨🇱🇨🇦

[@randyhuke3773]

Hockey is a team sport. You can talk about the greatness of the superstars, but rarely does some one come along that can literally do it all. That is Clarky !!!!!

[@ГришаФэша]

Way to go, cousin Wendel Clark! Way to go!

[@gniteeveryone9134]

great player

[@MetalGearissolid]

Imagine Clarke at the height of his powers on the current leafs team's #1 line. They'd never lose another game.

[@LowKeyContender]

that would be epic......... no joke.

[@mikesinclair6874]

All Heart N Soul ...Wendel Clark # 17...My Favorite Leaf Ever

[@dolley17]

One of the best

[@BloodFireDoom]

I know there is so much history and so many greats in Leafs history, and it’s a generational argument, but Clark is easily top 5 ever that played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[@headstoner6769]

great video... Wendel is god

[@ironredman]

the drive that man had with all that passion he played with wish they had won a cup for him.

[@ginor8416]

Never mind the Cup, it was great hockey. Those were the most exciting games of hockey ever played

[@ginor8416]

Speechless

[@joeshedler6496]

ohhhh I remember that lethal wrist shot, but damn there was a lot of slap shots in that video, I don't remember him using it that much, but clearly there was some!

[@ginor8416]

He was a complete player. Every wrist shot I ever took was a Clark tribute

[@Uniquely-Unoriginal]

Captain CRuncH was awesome! Especially since a lot of these are from late 92 to early 95 :)

[@mberry480]

the quintessential power forward.

[@masqerader]

Do had an insane snap shot

[@jjevans1693]

One of the best Leafs captains ever. A very exciting and inspirational player!

[@IPv6Freely]

Chuck Norris wears Wendel Clark pajamas

[@1madmaxx80]

Chuck Norris is scared of Wendel!

[@headstoner6769]

brilliant!

[@johnnywest00]

most compete ( except defence ) player ever,,,my all time favourite..back when hockey was fun and exciting.....i mean, really exciting.....

[@craigborth8047]

John Ness he played defense his whole life up until getting drafted, and he killed penalties.how would u say he wasn’t defensive?

[@1madmaxx80]

@Craig 'Borth He only ever saw highlights?

[@terryjordan5972]

God I loved watching him play!!

[@waynedeadder664]

I was at a sporting good shop in Wendel came in. I’ve met Rockstars and all kinds of famous people. I don’t get starstruck anymore. I couldn’t even bring myself to say anything to him. I was so blown way I just stared at him

[@313susej]

still have his signature on my stick, wear that like a badge o' honour

[@joshspencer6489]

My number playing hockey growing up was 17 because of Wendell Clark

[@buckboss8864]

My 10 year old son asked me who wendal Clark was. He’s absolutely fascinated by how he played the game.

[@hedzzup420]

I'm a leaf fan and feel bad for Wendel. if anyone deserves their name on the cup, it's gotta be him

[@TheHilltopPillbox]

Best compliment I ever got was when I went public skating in Gimli, Manitoba, and I was wearing my Clark jersey, and these two kids came up and say, "What are YOU doing here?" To be fair, I had a nicely trimmed beard that day. Yeah, that was pretty cool.

[@gman3365]

Best skilled tough guy ever!🇨🇦

[@theodorebelmont7922]

If your a hockey fan, how can u not love Wendel Clark

[@drone-tario9693]

Back in the 80s my local outdoor rink(Victoria park in kingston ontario) had a poster of how to do a Wendel Clark wrist shot! I remember putting many shots past aspiring goalies back then..some twice my age lol

[@raymondchan3618]

That's my Captain.

[@lemmykilmister185]

All time light Heavyweight Champion of the NHL who laid beat downs on most of the Heavyweights

[@dl3988]

Clark was one of the true old-school guys who could do it all and contributed all over the ice: 1000% effort, 300+ goals, thousands of bone-crunching hits and he more than held his own against Probert and some all-time heavyweights. We need more guys like him in todays NHL.

[@mbeck30000]

im a hawks fan and Wendell was one of my fav players growing up..... enough said

[@janemartinow8109]

So Fantastic

[@joshuadorie9198]

One of the Leafs all time great. He did everything and played with his heart and soul. The true meaning of a Maple Leaf.

[@3ppcli]

Wendel Clark gave his sweat and blood every single game. My FAVORITE LEAF of all time. Time for the Leafs to draft or trade for a BIG CAN OF WHOOP ASS.

[@stephendoran6877]

Fav player

[@SuperStrik9]

Clark is a beauty. Go Leafs Go!

[@michaelohalloran2800]

King Clancy Said. If can't beat them in the Alley you can't beat them on the ice. Words to live by.

[@headstoner6769]

awesome fuggin video...thank you, for real

[@patrickmacconnell4364]

#17 and 19 tied for second to Darryl 22. All were equally awesome in there own way. GLG!

[@IntoTheWildFlyFishing]

pound for pound one of the toughest of all-time. Also, one of the greatest under-rated captains in NHL history.

[@china12331]

He was the best player at his position ever !!

[@willybeeproductions9357]

If there was ever a Leaf who Bled Blue, it was Wendel! He's a Beauty!

[@shtak21able]

CERTAINLY ONE OF A KIND.

[@LowKeyContender]

2 minutes into the video............ love it already haha dude is a legend

[@Luke-rt9bx]

Don’t get me wrong this guy was ALWAYS fun to watch right till the end BUT I never realized how mean he looked when he was young lol

[@rickhipson3899]

There will never be another like #17. Still can't believe I was at that game when he toed up with McSorley. What they didn't mention here is it all started when Gilmore checked Gretzky. Afterwards the crowd went crazy throwing all kinds of stuff on the ice, including a crutch. Man, there were a lot of great games at the gardens.

[@dave0267]

Clark was the complete package, Keon was always my favourite Leaf, Clark is a close second !

[@evopigeau]

Thank you Clark!

[@evopigeau]

Heart

[@luke4701]

love this guy

[@p.turtle2085]

A great tribute to Wendel Clark. Today's Leafs have Matthews and Marner. The '93 edition had Gilmour and Clark. Who'd you rather go to war with? I think it's obvious why the current duo fail to carry the team past round one.

[@Ax18NY]

Tremendous player.

[@TerryKetterer76]

Imagine if Auston Mathews had Wendel Clark’s heart.

[@pitkapakki1866]

Wendel was a hockey god

[@polkhigh3333]

Be sure to get a glass of water, whenever in Kelvington. There’s definitely something in it.

[@billboggs6641]

Another great player on the Leafs without a cup.

[@brandonsayer7631]

Gilmour .. Gill... Ellet.. Zezel... Domi.... Gartner ... Potvin ....the kinda guys that gave ya goosebumps. And of course Wendel Clark.. i forfot some. Forgive me

[@doubledcanada]

Wow thats a guy with hard. You don't see any leaf player today change a game like Clark could. Even Mathews is nothing compared to clark!

[@stevenreid2571]

It's a damn shame the Leafs couldn't get Wendel a ring. Man definitely deserved one. Here's to hoping Auston and co can change that (AT SOME POINT)

[@luke4701]

simply the best loved him 17 has become my favorite number who else wears it Josh Allen bills q.b gooo bills

[@rlzillie4359]

If only the leafs had another legend like that they could possibly win a cup with the tv having color ps: I'm a Leafs fan so this isn't hate I luv them

[@nancyhansford9608]

The BEST!!!!!!!

[@toddpick8007]

Saw him at the gas station in King City dudes shoulders were like 60 inches

[@CamelTowes99]

What a video holy smokes

[@michaelswinburne4350]

Man, he definitely didn’t play by the “stop punching your opponent when he’s down” rule