Clarke Shooting For Disappointment
SASKATOON -- Mid-season signing Les Clarke was prompted to start his VHLM career with all guns blazing. He was projected to go mid-first round at next season's VHL Entry Draft. However, with unimpressive numbers and a lack of activity at team practice, the scouts, and even Clarke himself has taken notice of this downswing.
"I've got no one to blame but myself," said Clarke after the Wild had their last regular season game. "It's been on my mind for a while, and I've been doing everything I can to turn things around." Despite his power forward prowess, Clarke has only recorded 37 points in the 55 games he's had with the Wild. His hot-headed nature brings him to the top spot in penalty minutes for the team.
His lack of presence at practice has been a point that scouts always make out when talking about his potential and growth. "He's got all the talents to be a solid VHLer, but he has to put in the work in order to get there first," one VHL team scout told us. There is no doubt that whichever VHL team takes their chance on the big winger, they'll be getting a high ceiling, high risk player. Clarke's management is notable for producing solid players such as Alex Staal and more recently, Blaine Olynick.
Les Clarke getting on the receiving end of a hit at the corner boards.
Playing on Saskatoon's top line with offensive powerhouse Bo Boeser and newcomer Gabriel McAllister, some may have seen Clarke's offensive output to be a product of skating with such highly skilled talent. Despite that, he has one of the highest shot percentages on the team. "I'm looking to the playoffs in order to raise my draft stock. Any prospect that tells you they don't worry about that stuff is lie. We all lose sleep over it. I'm guilty of that. We all want to be the best we can be," he admitted.
But would he be willing to go back to the VHLM for another season of development following the draft? Considering his draft position, and where he may stand by the time next season starts, that just may be the case. Les Clarke's future is in his own hands. Whatever team takes him in the draft, may just have to light that fire under him to get him going.
Author's note: Just wanted to throw it out there that I hate how inactive I've been so early into my reunion tour. Wanted to throw some clarity into my activity around here. When work gives you a week's worth of overnight shifts, and you sleep only four hours a day, all I want to do is just catch up on my sleep as much as possible. That shit sucks.
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