| Michael Sonday. 26th November, 2008 - 1:53 pm
 If an NHL player were to be a canned beverage, Cal Clutterbuck would be a Red Bull.
The 21-year-old Clutterbuck has laced up the skates for just 19 NHL games, but that has been enough to win over coach Jacques Lemaire and the Minnesota faithful.
The 5'11" winger has supplied the Wild with grit and tenacity this season and has seemingly inspired his Wild teammates and their fans.
After not making the opening night roster, the Wild summoned Clutterbuck up from Houston after two games to fill in for the injured Marian Gaborik and Owen Nolan. Clutterbuck has seized the opportunity and by the looks of it, he will not be going back to Houston anytime soon.
Clutterbuck's niche has been to seek and destroy, hitting everything that he sees on the ice. Clutterbuck ranks ninth in the NHL and is tops on the Wild with 64 hits.
The impressive part of his hit parade has been that he is doing it in just under ten minutes of ice time per game, something that is sure to increase as he gains experience and Lemaire's trust.
With his high tempo play and euphoric energy, Clutterbuck has become a fan favorite in Minnesota.
He looked like a kid in a candy store after he scored his first NHL goal against the Washington Capitals on November 24th. He added his second career goal later that game, something that he claimed to be, "just gravy".
Clutterbuck's style of play gives those watching a feeling of youth and is a reminder that the NHL is still a game and not just a business.
Clutterbuck, which happens to be one of the best hockey names in the history of the NHL, has made it his forte this season to play physical, but disciplined hockey. Clutterbuck is also recognized as a player that is not afraid to drop the mitts, but he does so without being cheap.
Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky might have a different take on Clutterbuck's hockey ethics. The two got in a heated verbal altercation following a fight between Clutterbuck and Keith Yandle on November 13th.
Gretzky was irate because Clutterbuck fought with his visor on. Clutterbuck stated that he wanted to take it off, but Yandle would not remove his helmet. Needless to say, Clutterbuck's first NHL fight is a memorable one.
The third-round pick of 2006 has been full of surprises - from playing on the Oshawa Generals two years ago as a mid-level prospect to having the "Great One" scream at him, it definitely has been an eventful ride thus far for Clutterbuck.
The future is sure to have much more in store for the young rookie, whatever antics arise will sure be interesting to watch.
The Wild are fortunate to have "Red Bull" on their team, with him in the lineup they sure won't lack energy or have many dull moments. |
