By Warren Kozireski —
As a freshman goaltender, Chase Clark came on in relief in just eight games this past season for nationally ranked Quinnipiac. Playing behind a Mike Ritcher Best Goaltender Award finalist in teammate Yaniv Perets didn’t help.
But the 6’6”, 218 lb. Washington Capitals 2021 sixth round draft choice isn’t just a casual observer while his team competes at the Frozen Four. He’s watching and learning.
“It’s been a great experience and gotta thank the NCAA hockey for hosting this and beautiful Tampa, the warm weather and the whole experience has been just amazing,” Clark said prior to their semi-final victory over the University of Michigan.
In those eight games, Clark allowed only four goals in over 78 minutes of ice time.
“Definitely a different experience from past years, but I came with an open mindset and learned how to play a new role on a team and just learning from Yaniv Perets, one of the best goalies—in my opinion THE best goalie in the nation right now. It’s been amazing to back him up and learn from him every single day and working with our goalies coach Justin Eddy.
“The way he thinks about the game, the different situations, the reads, biggest thing is work ethic on and off the ice. He puts in the work that nobody really sees, and it really pays off the past two years.”
Clark started playing hockey at seven years old with the Wheatfield Blades and was 15 years with the Toronto Nationals U-16 in 2017-18. He followed that with single seasons with the Buffalo Regals and Jr. Sabres.
Then it was off the NCDC and USHL first with Jersey Hitmen, then Tri-City and finally Muskegon over two seasons before becoming a Bobcat this season.
“Juniors was working one level at a time. Definitely learned a lot and battled a lot of adversity and hopefully I spend the rest of my years here at Quinnipiac. My first year I started in Junior B, which not a lot of guys at this level play, and I worked from Junior B to Junior A and then got a concussion in the USHL.
“I went to the NCDC (Jersey), and Toby Harris gave me an opportunity during covid. Had a really great year there and won a championship and then moved up to Tier 1 UJSHL level.”
Clark still remembers fondly his days with the Regals.
“Gotta thank my head coach, Dan Mancuso; he’s definitely hard on a team and that mental toughness. I still reach out to him to this day looking for advice and such. Those were the best days going on road trips up to Toronto—great memories.”
And the day he was drafted.
“Backstory was I talked to my advisor, and he said to take you mind off of it because you never really know (if you will be selected) until you know, but I went on a bike ride, came back showered and about ten or fifteen minutes later I was sitting on the couch…and saw my name pop up.
“It brought tears of joy because, what an accomplishment and what a great organization to get drafted to. A lot of hard work to come and excited for the future. And Development Camp was an amazing experience…and working with such good people.”
Clark has three sisters who are all great athletes in their own right. Summer plays softball as a sophomore left-handed pitcher at Florida Atlantic University while Madison and Brianna competed at the University of Buffalo and East Carolina in volleyball as a setter and Niagara University as a third basemen respectively.
“One thing my parents really focused on was allowing us to play the sport we love every single day. We kind of pushed each other. Like my dad said, always work hard.”
(Photos by Quinnipiac Hockey Photos)
