By Warren Kozireski —
The Washington Capitals selected Williamsville native Chase Clark with the sixth-round draft pick (183rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
The 19-year-old primarily played this past season for the New Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), finishing the season with an 18-2-1 record with three shutouts, a 1.92 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. The 6’6”, 202 lb. left-handed goaltender led the Hitmen to a championship and Jersey earned the NCDC Founders’ Cup.
He also played three games in the USHL for Tri-City.
“Really interesting guy…he was playing in New Jersey and we had video from him there and we ended up seeing him in the USHL and he was impressive for a big 6’6”, 200 lb. guy,” Washington Assistant General Manager Ross Mahoney said. “Pretty controlled and pretty athletic and that’s not easy at that height and that age and that position so really impressed with him.
“And our goalie department with our goalie coach and one of our scouts who concentrates a little more on goalies were also impressed, so hopefully we found a diamond in the rough with a later pick in the draft.”
The Buffalo Regals product also spent one season in a Jr. Sabres uniform.
(Photo by Janet Schultz Photography)
