Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 9th year veteran left wing Richard Clune(17) scored the winning goal for affiliate Toronto Marlies in their game 7 4-3 victory over Albany Devils to advance to the AHL Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals.
Signed to a one-year two-way deal by the parent club after first inking a minor league deal and getting off to a hot start, he’s added another 19 NHL games, 4 assists, 1 fight and +1 rating to his resume.
The scrappy 5’10” 207 lbs. presence on the ice played two full seasons in the show after being picked up on waivers by Nashville Predators from his longtime 5-year hang with Los Angeles Kings.
He filled the role of the fourth line grinder and had a career high 16 fighting majors in 2013/2014, good enough for 2nd in the league.It also wasn’t like he didn’t affect the score sheet as he is credited for 7 goals and 9 assists in 105 games.
That was basically it though as at the start of his two-year extension was shuffled back to affiliate Milwaukee Admirals for all but one appearance and subsequently put on unconditional waivers headed into 2015/2016 to be bought out of the final year of his deal.
Originally a Dallas Stars‘ 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft (#77 overall) he only played one campaign in the system with Iowa Stars and even spent some rookie time with Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.
He quickly earned his way up the hockey ladder by basically just being a pest to play against.
The 29-year old is an unrestricted free agent as soon as the dust clears on his bid for a Cup and it will be interesting who will act next.
He did post a career high 8 goals, 16 assists for 24 points in just 49 AHL games and is contributing in the postseason.
Wouldn’t be impossible to see him stay put.
Richard Clune(17) vs. Sena Acolatse(14)
Manchester Monarchs‘ endless fighter, Richard Clune(17) decides to dance with Worcester Sharks‘ rookie defenseman Sena Acolatse(14).
Tale of the tape: Clune 5’10” 207 lbs., Acolatse 5’11” 205 lbs. Pretty evenly matched.
The decision went to Acolatse in a big way. He be tough.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Richard Clune(17) Manchester Monarchs
Monarchs‘ resident hothead Richard Clune(17) is restrained from a potential “situation” with a Senators‘ player in game 6. Big surprise there.
Richard Clune(17) vs. Nick Petrecki(29)
Monarchs‘ forward Richard Clune(17) has become quite the hothead recently. He’s on par to double his penalty minutes best in 2007-2008 with Iowa Stars.
Sharks‘ defenseman Nick Petrecki(29) obliged the nod to drop ’em and pretty much pummeled him.