Golden Knights Making Mark at Elite Level

National Hockey League action is back with the start of the 2008-09 season, and Clarkson University is well represented in the world’s elite league with former Golden Knights skating on the ice, and working behind-the-scene in front office positions.

Eight former Golden Knights are listed on opening day rosters. Chris Clark ‘98 (Washington), Erik Cole (Edmonton), Craig Conroy (Calgary), Kent Huskins ‘01 (Anaheim), Randy Jones (Philadelphia), Todd Marchant (Anaheim), Willie Mitchell (Vancouver) and Todd White ’97 (Atlanta) will be looking to lead their respective NHL teams to the Stanley Cup Championship this spring.

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Serving as Washington’s captain, Clark (at Clarkson 1994-98) begins his fourth season with the Capitals and ninth season overall in the NHL. After skating six seasons in Carolina, including the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup-winning campaign in 2005-06, Cole (1997-00) moves to hockey-crazed Edmonton this year.

A native of Potsdam, Conroy (1990-94) begins his 14th season in the NHL, and is in his third season of his second go-around in Calgary. Conroy return to the Flames late in the 2006-07 campaign after skating the previous season and a half with the Los Angles Kings. He previously played for Calgary from late in the 2000-2001 season until the 2003-04 campaign.

An up-and-coming defense for Anaheim, who lifted the Stanley Cup as an NHL rookie in 2006-07, Huskins (1997-01) enters his third NHL campaign. Skating with Huskins on the Ducks roster is long-time NHL veteran Todd Marchant (1991-93), who is beginning his 15th NHL season. Marchant, who also hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2007, begins his fourth season in Southern California.

Coming off a break-though season in Philadelphia last year, Jones (2001-03) is projected to be a key component of the Flyers blueline brigade in his fifth NHL campaign. An assistant captain with the Vancouver Canucks, Mitchell (1997-99) is a rugged defenseman entering his ninth NHL season, and third with Vancouver.

In his 11th NHL campaign, White (1993-97) will look to play a key offensive role for Atlanta this season after joining the Thrashers’ organization last year.

Three members from last year’s Clarkson team have earned roster spots in the American Hockey League, and will look to make the move up to the NHL with strong efforts in their inaugural professional campaigns.

Last season’s Golden Knights captain, Nick Dodge will be playing for the Albany River Rats. Clarkson’s leading goal scorer in 2007-08, Steve Zalewski will be skating for the Worcester Sharks, and 2008 All-America defenseman, Grant Clitsome, one of the final cuts from the Columbus Blue Jackets’ opening day roster, will start off the season with the Syracuse Crunch. Shawn Weller, an explosive forward for the Green and Gold for three seasons (2003-07), is in the Ottawa organization, skating with the Binghamton Senators.

David Leggio, a four-year starter in goal (2004-08) for the Golden Knights will play for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL to start the 2008-09 campaign. He joins former Clarkson teammate, defenseman Michael Grenzy (2003-07) in Southwest Florida.

David Cayer, older brother of current Clarkson freshmen, Julien Cayer, has joined numerous other former Golden Knights playing professional hockey in Europe. He signed a contract with CSG Strasbourg (France) for the 2008-09 season.

Clarkson is also well represented in NHL front offices. The Golden Knights’ all-time leading scorer, Dave Taylor ’77 serves as the Director of Player Personnel with the Dallas Stars. Former Clarkson player, coach and athletic director Bill O’Flaherty ’71 is the Director of Pro Scouting for the Florida Panthers. Jarmo Kekalainen acts as the St. Louis Blues’ Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting.

Eight current Golden Knights have been drafted by NHL teams, including four freshmen. Mark Borowiecki (0ttawa, 5th-round, 130th overall), Julien Cayer (Detroit, 5th-round, 151st), Nick Tremblay (Boston, 6th-round, 173rd), and Paul Karpowich (St. Louis, 7th-round, 185th) were selected in this past summer’s draft.

They join Clarkson co-captains, seniors Tyrell Mason (NY Islanders, 6th-round, 180th) and Phil Paquet (Montreal, 7th-round, 229th), senior Shea Guthrie (NY Islanders, 3rd-round, 76th) and sophomore Bryan Rufenach (Detroit, 7th-round, 208th) as current Knights who have been selected in the NHL Draft.

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