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POTSDAM, N.Y. --  A prestigious national honor capped off the outstanding collegiate Clarkson University Hockey career of Grant Clitsome. A 5-11, 210-pound defenseman, Clitsome was named to the 2008 RBK All-American squad, announced Friday night in Denver, CO by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

A second-team selection, Clitsome becomes the 36th Golden Knight to earn All-America accolades and the second Golden Knight to earn the impressive honor in the past two years, following classmate Nick Dodge's selection in 2007.

As a senior assistant captain, Clitsome helped to lead the Golden Knights to one of the most successful seasons in the program's 86-year history with a 22-13-4 overall record, a first-place 15-4-3 ECAC Hockey mark and Clarkson's first NCAA Tournament victory since 1996.

"Grant was very good at both ends of the ice," stated Clarkson head coach George Roll. "He was really a mainstay on our defense and was our quarterback all season. One of the top plus/minus leaders in the country, Grant did a lot of the little things that go unnoticed. He is certainly a physical presence and can jump into the rush offensively. Grant really had a solid senior campaign and was one of the main reason for our success."

A First-Team ECAC Hockey All-Star and a NCAA East Regional Team selection, Clitsome boasted the best plus/minus overall among all ECAC Hockey players at +22. He anchored Clarkson's stingy defensive effort - ranked 3rd in the league - as the Knights' lone senior on the blueline.  Clitsome led the Clarkson defensemen in scoring with 22 points on five goals and 17 assists. He scored twice on the power play, once shorthanded and recorded seven multiple-point games.

Clitsome tallied 10 points (2-8) in last eight games of regular season to help Clarkson win the ECAC Regular Season Championship. He was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team. A 2004 NHL Draft choice of Columbus (9th rd., 271), Clitsome recently signed a pro contract with the Blue Jackets' organization.

The Gloucester, ONT native, was honored with Clarkson's Richmond Unsung Hero Award presented at the team's annual booster club banquet on April 5.

The RBK All-America Ice Hockey teams are sponsored by RBK Hockey, an international leader in hockey equipment, and chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.