Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up first: Brandt Clarke.
Brandt Clarke
Birthdate: February 9, 2003
Birthplace: Nepean, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6’2
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Draft: 1st round, 8th overall, 2021 NHL Entry Draft
2022-2023 season
Clarke finally got a taste of what professional hockey was like in 2022…well, sort of. The day before the Kings’ home opener, Clarke made the roster. Clarke didn’t play in the home opener as he made his debut the following game against the Seattle Kraken, playing 15 minutes in a 4-1 Kings loss. Clarke would play the next seven games but missed two games after as the Kings still were making a decision that regarded his entry-level contract (ELC). That decision was to keep Clarke the rest of the season and burn the first year of his ELC, or play him nine games and loan him back to the OHL to save that first year of his ELC.
After playing his 9th game against the Dallas Stars on November 1st, it was decision time for LA. After being a healthy scratch for the next five games, Clarke was assigned to the Ontario Reign for a “conditioning assignment” because of a loophole in the rule book. It’s the same loophole the Kraken exploited as they were in the same situation with their top prospect, Shane Wright. In five games on his conditioning assignment, Clarke recorded two points (1 G – 1 A). After his stint in the AHL, Clarke would then help a stacked team Canada capture Gold at the World Juniors. On January 6th, Clarke was loaned back to the Barrie Colts of the OHL where he would record 61 points in 31 games and seemingly set a new record for a defenseman in the OHL every night.
Brandt Clarke pulls off the Michigan in Game 1 of the playoffs for the @OHLBarrieColts! 😱
🎥: @OHLHockey pic.twitter.com/BLzBMVWjdb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2023
2023-2024 Outlook
Clarke’s time in the OHL is done. It’s either the NHL or AHL. With Sean Walker being traded along with Cal Petersen to the Philadelphia Flyers and Sean Durzi traded to the Arizona Coyotes, that leaves a spot open on the right side of the third defense pair. That spot seems to be Clarke’s to lose. However, fellow right-handed defenseman, Jordan Spence, will be looking to crack the roster as well. I believe both should make the roster, but that doesn’t sound like something the Kings would do.
If you follow Hockey Royalty’s Randon McMahon on Twitter (Sorry Elon, I will never call it “X”), you will see he is the leader of the Brandt Clarke hype train and has been pleading for Clarke to make the roster, as many LA Kings fans have too. I believe Clarke will make the roster as he can quarterback the second power-play unit and bring offense to a blue line that lacks it. However, with Spence trying to make his case for that spot on the third pair, there will be competition. Competition brings the best out of everyone. The fight for that spot on the third defense pair will be worth watching this training camp.
Featured image credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign
Smart play is evaluate Spence in NHL and shop him if Clarke ecvels in the AHL AND you plan on extending ROy
We can’t afford to get rid of another prospect with such upside. The King’s need to make room for both. This year or next. Spence may spend another year in the AHL unless Clarke isn’t ready. But by next year both should be on the roster full-time.