Five things to know about Graeme Clarke

The Senators added some last-minute offensive punch at the National Hockey League trade deadline last weekend, acquiring forward Graeme Clarke. The 25-year-old Ottawa native made an immediate impact in his debut in The Friendly City last Saturday, recording two goals and two assists, the most points ever by a Belleville player in their first game with the club. As Clarke settles in with his new team and gets set to face the team he was traded from, the Hershey Bears, this coming weekend, here are a few things to know about the newest Senator.

1. Bringing a wealth of AHL experience and an AHL All-Star nod to Belleville

A veteran of 333 games in the league, Clarke is no stranger to the AHL spotlight. Accumulating 214 points (101 goals, 113 assists) over that span, he was named an AHL All-Star during the 2023–24 season while playing with the Utica Comets, where he emerged as one of the league’s top offensive contributors. Over the course of his career, Clarke’s four previous seasons in the AHL’s North Division have given him plenty of familiarity with many of the teams and rinks that Belleville faces on a regular basis. He also played last season in the Central Division with the Iowa Wild, and spent most of this season in the Atlantic Division with Hershey.

2. Some friendly faces in ‘The Friendly City’

While he was acquired just before the deadline and had a whirlwind arrival to Belleville, Clarke already has some built-in connections with his new teammates. Most notably, he lived with Senators defenceman Cam Crotty last season in Iowa when the two were teammates with the Wild. Clarke is also familiar with some of the other former Ontario Hockey League players on the Belleville roster, having competed against them in his junior days. Those existing relationships can help make the transition to a new organization smoother, and Clarke will also recognize several other players across the division from his previous stops.

3. Has represented Canada at one of hockey’s more unique international tournaments

In addition to his AHL experience, Clarke had the opportunity to represent his country on the international stage this past December, after being selected to play for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. Clarke donned the maple leaf for three games at the prestigious annual tournament held in Davos, Switzerland, picking up one assist. The event features top club teams from around Europe along with Canada’s entry made up largely of professional players, giving Clarke a chance to compete against international competition for the first time since he registered six points (two goals, four assists) in six games at the 2017-18 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.

4. Hockey skill runs in the family

Graeme comes from a household where the game is a big part of life. His younger brother, Brandt, was the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, has won multiple international gold medals, and continues to be a standout defender for the Los Angeles Kings. His younger sister, Mackenzie, also plays defence and is currently in her second season at St. Lawrence University (NCAA) in Canton, New York. Growing up in a hockey family helped shape his development and passion for the game from an early age.

5. Offseason spent at home in Ottawa

Whether he’s riding the waves on the lake or hitting the greens on the golf course with some of his buddies, Clarke keeps close to home in Ottawa when he’s not at the rink. He also trains with brother Brandt and a group of other Ottawa-area pros in the offseason, helping to keep his skills sharp and continuing the march back to the NHL with his new club.

Clarke and the Senators are back in action on Saturday, March 14 (7:00 p.m.) and Sunday, March 15 (5:00 p.m.), when they visit the team he was traded from, the Hershey Bears (AHL Affiliate of the Washington Capitals). Both games can be heard free on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network. You can also watch along by subscribing to AHLTV on FloHockey.

Single-game tickets for all home games in the 2025-26 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster or at the Belleville Sens Box Office located inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre. Details on season seat memberships, flex packs, premium seating, the Business Edge program, and more can be found by visiting the Belleville Sens Website. 

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