Ex-Spit Clarke returns

by Rob Benneian

The day Michael Clarke was traded to the Peterborough Petes he circled Feb. 1 on his calendar.

It marked his return to Windsor, the only city he had called home in his Ontario Hockey League career. He made the most of his first trip to the WFCU Centre since the Jan. 10 trade, scoring two goals including the game-winner in a 7-5 Petes victory.

Clarke, a second round pick by Windsor in 2010, had 56 points in 110 games in a Spitfires uniform. At the conclusion of the 2011-12 season he was named the team’s most underrated player. For Petes head coach Jody Hull, Clarke’s value has long been apparent.

“Our organization has always liked Michael,” Hull said. “When we’ve inquired about trades, his name was always brought in them for us.”

Stuck behind NHL draftees Brady Vail and Alexander Khokhlachev on the Spitfires depth chart, Clarke is now playing top-line minutes with Peterborough. The increased ice time means the Petes are counting on Clarke to do more than just be solid in his own zone.

“He’s aware of situations that he’s put into, whether it’s a defensive role or an offensive-minded role,” Hull said.

Leaving the place he had called home for more than two years would have been hard enough, but Clarke also became ill in the first weekend with his new team.

Though he struggled to produce offensively, his goals against Windsor were his first two in a Petes uniform, Clarke said he craved the opportunity to showcase his skill with the puck.

“On the Petes, I feel like I’m one of the offensive leaders. It’s great. I feel like every night I need to go out there and produce for my team,” Clarke said. “I’ve always had that offence. It just feels good for it to come to the forefront because I know I have it and I know I can put up more points than I’ve been putting up.”