Wednesday was a big night for Islanders winger Cal Clutterbuck, as he took the ice for the 1,000th game of his terrific NHL career.
“I never really thought it was a possibility for me,” he told reporters earlier this week. “When I was growing up, one NHL game was a pipe dream and then you play 100 and you think that’s impressive, so on and so forth.
“I wish I could’ve said I wrote it down in a notebook somewhere in 2007, but I didn’t. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, it’s crazy for me, for sure.”
Clutterbuck was drafted by the Wild with the 72nd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, and he spent the first six seasons of his career there before being traded to the Islanders in exchange for Nino Niederreiter during the 2013 Draft.
The scrappy wingers non-stop physical play was quickly embraced by his new team and fans, and he was named one of the teams alternate captains just one season into his tenure on Long Island.
Clutterbuck battled his fair-share of injuries over the years, but when healthy, has been as reliable as it gets. He’s one of the top, toughest and most physical fourth liners in hockey and currently holds the NHL record for hits with 3,798.
And now, 11 seasons after being traded to New York, Clutterbuck says he’s happy to have been able to share this milestone with the orange and blue faithful.
“I’m really grateful that I was able to do it here,” he said. “I’ve been treated with nothing but respect on this Island by these fans. They’ve supported us and myself and my family for the last decade and really made it home for us.”
Clutterbuck had tons of friends and family in attendance at UBS Arena on Wednesday night, and he received a standing ovation after the team acknowledged his accomplishment with a video tribute midway through the second period.
With the jitters pushed to the side, though, the veteran was able to go about his business and help the Islanders pull out a much-needed 3-2 win over the Flyers.
Clutterbuck has yet again been one of the most consistent players for Lane Lambert’s squad to start the season, but they’ve struggled as a team lately, sitting in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 7-6-5.
He’s hoping this mini two-game winning streak the team is riding is a sign of things to come.
“By no stretch of the imagination were we perfect,” he said. “But we defended a lead and we won at home in regulation. It’s a step in the right direction but we have to continue to build on what we’re doing here.
“All we have to do is continue to play that way and these things will find a way to turn themselves around.”
