U18 Worlds Primer: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)

Budding Barrie Colts blueliner and highly touted 2021 NHL Draft prospect Brandt Clarke is among three OHL defenders gearing up to represent Team Canada in Texas later this month. The 18-year-old joins the Red and White on the heels of a spectacular rookie showing with a young Colts squad that boasted the likes of Tyson Foerster, Evan Vierling and Ethan Cardwell.

BREAKING OUT IN BARRIE
If his 113-point minor midget season with the GTHL and OHL Cup champion Don Mills Flyers was any indication, Clarke was bound for a bright future in Barrie. Drafted fourth overall out of the Flyers program in 2019, the mobile defender was memorably explosive from the very start with five goals (including a hat-trick) and 10 points over six preseason games. His rookie campaign ultimately saw him lead all OHL rookie defencemen and all Barrie defencemen with 38 points (6-32—38) over 57 games in 2019-20, setting a new franchise record for points by a 16-year-old blueliner.

THE CLARKE CONNECTION
When asked about his greatest hockey influences, Clarke doesn’t hesitate to point to older brother and fellow OHL product, Graeme. The other Nepean-born skater has been turning heads with his hometown Ottawa 67’s over the past three seasons. A third round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2019, the nearly 20-year-old winger has spent 2020-21 with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators where he’s recorded nine points (5-4—9) over 18 contests.

A STINT IN SLOVAKIA
Awaiting word on the 2020-21 OHL season, Clarke took his talents overseas to Slovakia where he posted five goals and 10 assists in 26 games for Nove Zamky Mikron HC. He was briefly joined by big brother Graeme, who suited up for six games before making his return to the AHL.

Clarke and 12 other OHL players will hit the ice in Plano and Frisco, Texas on April 27th when Canada opens its tournament schedule against Sweden.