2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Kale Clague
Leading up to the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, on June 24th and 25th, WHL.ca will highlight WHL players looking to hear their names called on draft day. The third featured WHL player is Brandon Wheat Kings’ defenceman Kale Clague.
Kale Clague – Brandon Wheat Kings
Defenceman
Hometown: Lloydminster, AB
D.O.B: June 5th, 1998
Ht: 6′
Wt: 178 lbs
Shoots: Left
NHL C.S.S. Final Ranking: 27th amongst North American skaters
Clague recently completed his second season in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings. The native of Lloydminster, AB recorded 43 points (6g-37a) to go along with a plus-25 rating while playing in 71 games.
“Kale’s best strength are his skating and his puck handling ability,” said Wheat Kings Head Coach and General Manager Kelly McCrimmon when evaluating Clague’s best strengths on the ice. “He’s always been an elite skater and is a very good offensive defenceman.”
McCrimmon mentioned that many NHL scouts see the same strengths in his game, particularly from an offensive stand point.
“He’s very good at joining the rush and is a very good passer. He’s good on the offensive blue line and those are aspects of his game that I believe differentiate him from other players. He’s very strong for his age.”
McCrimmon also commented that Clague will continue to develop his size and strength.
“Size and strength are areas where he can continue to get better such as many players, but I don’t think there are any glaring deficiencies. I expect him to continue to develop.”
Selected by the Wheat Kings sixth overall in the first round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Clague earned a gold medal with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and also earned a roster spot with Team Cherry at the 2016 CHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver.
WHL Statistics
Regular Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
2015-16 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 71 | 6 | 37 | 43 | 25 | 54 |
2014-15 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 20 | 4 | 9 | 13 | -1 | 6 |
2013-14 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Q & A with Kale Clague
You won a gold medal with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August. How did that experience help you heading into the 2015-16 WHL season?
Yeah, obviously when you play with international competition, it’s an honour to play in that tournament. Anytime you get to play in something like that, it gives you a lot of confidence heading into the WHL season. Confidence helps players play well and it gave me confidence. It certainly helped me.
Being ranked amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, what do you do to stay focused on the task at hand?
I don’t look too much into the social media side. I don’t look at that stuff too much. My goal is to stick with the season, play well, and help my team win. I’ll worry about that stuff when it gets closer to draft time.
Who was your favourite NHL team growing up?
I don’t really have a favourite NHL team, but I do like the Edmonton Oilers as I was from the area growing up.
Which current NHL player do you feel you have a similar skill set and are trying to emulate?
I watch Erik Karlsson a lot and try to pick up skill sets from him to add to my game. I’d say my game would emulate more of a Morgan Rielly or a Duncan Keith type player. Good two-way players with great offensive instincts, great puck movers and skaters.
Who was your favourite WHL team growing up?
I’d go watch the Edmonton Oil Kings play and the Saskatoon Blades but didn’t necessarily have a favourite team growing up.
What is your favourite moment in your hockey career up to this point?
Yeah, I’d go back to the Ivan Hlinka. Playing international hockey and representing my country. You know, it was very competitive and got to play with lots of great players my age. We ended up winning the tournament which made it that much better. Also got to play with two of my friends from Brandon so that was pretty special.
How have you adapted to playing in the WHL?
It’s definitely harder to play. Got to be ready every single night. Guys are faster, stronger and more physical so I got to defend really hard when playing at this level. It’s a lot more different and one has to definitely elevate their game.
What do you need to accomplish in order to have success at the next level?
I’d say in my own end. I try to work on watching a lot of video and look at the mistakes in my own zone, try to minimize mistakes and be more physical in my end.
What is your favourite activity or hobby away from hockey?
I’d say in the summer, I like to hang out with my buddies at the cabins by the lake. It’s very relaxing and it’s a nice break.