Brandt Clarke Bio
Brandt Clarke (born February 9, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted eighth overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Clarke is recognized as an offensive-minded defenceman known for his exceptional skating, playmaking ability, and two-way intelligence on the ice. His rapid ascent through junior hockey and international competitions has positioned him as one of the most promising young blue-liners in professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Brandt Clarke was born on February 9, 2003, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in Ottawa, Clarke was immersed in hockey from an early age as part of an athletic family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Chris Clarke, played junior hockey in Southern Ontario, providing his children with both genetic predisposition and early mentorship in the game.
Clarke grew up alongside his siblings, who all pursued hockey careers at high levels. His older brother, Graeme Clarke, currently plays for the Belleville Senators, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. His sister, Mackenzie Clarke, plays collegiate hockey for St. Lawrence University. This family environment fostered competitive excellence and helped develop Brandt’s skills from a young age in the Ottawa hockey community.
Path to Hockey
Clarke advanced through minor hockey in Ontario before embarking on his major junior career. On April 6, 2019, Clarke was selected in the first round, fourth overall, in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Barrie Colts. This high-profile draft selection marked his transition to major junior hockey and signaled his status as one of the top young prospects in Canadian hockey.
During his rookie season with the Barrie Colts in the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 campaign, Clarke immediately demonstrated his elite potential. He led all rookie OHL defencemen with six goals and 32 assists, showcasing his offensive creativity and defensive competence simultaneously. His outstanding rookie performance earned him recognition from OHL general managers, who named him to the OHL First All-Rookie Team at the season’s conclusion. Clarke’s early success established him as a lock for a high selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Brandt Clarke Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Following his exceptional rookie season with the Barrie Colts, Clarke continued his development during the 2020-21 season. When the OHL cancelled its regular season due to COVID-19, Clarke seized the opportunity to gain international experience by playing abroad. He joined HC Nové Zámky of Slovakia’s Tipsport Liga on loan, where he played alongside his brother Graeme Clarke.
In 26 games with HC Nové Zámky during the 2020-21 season, Clarke recorded five goals and ten assists, demonstrating his ability to adapt to European hockey and continue his offensive production against older, more experienced competition. This stint in Slovakia provided valuable developmental experience and helped prepare him for the professional ranks.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2021-2023)
On July 23, 2021, Clarke took a major step in his career when the Los Angeles Kings selected him in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings recognized Clarke’s combination of offensive skill and defensive awareness as a rare profile for a blue-liner. Ten days later, on August 10, 2021, Clarke signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the franchise.
With the OHL resuming play in November 2021, Clarke returned to the Barrie Colts for the 2021-22 season. The organization showed their confidence in his leadership by naming him the 22nd captain in Colts history, making him the youngest captain in franchise history. During the 2022-23 season, Clarke split time between multiple levels as the Kings managed his development carefully. He made his NHL regular-season debut for Los Angeles on October 13, 2022, in a home game against the Seattle Kraken.
Clarke recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, during a road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 20, 2022. At the time, he became the seventh youngest defenceman and 18th youngest player in Kings history to record a point. During his rookie NHL season, Clarke logged 9 games with the Kings, 5 with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, and 7 with Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, plus 12 exhibition games at various elite levels. The Kings reassigned him to the Barrie Colts on January 6, 2023, for the remainder of the OHL season, where he dominated with 61 points in just 31 regular-season games.
Clarke tied the Barrie Colts franchise record for regular-season goals by a defenceman in a single season with 23 tallies. He also became the franchise’s all-time regular-season scoring leader amongst defencemen with 158 career points. His exceptional performance earned him selections to both the OHL and CHL First All-Star Teams.
Ontario Reign and Kings Era (2023-Present)
For the 2023-24 season, Clarke primarily played with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate. He delivered an impressive campaign with 10 goals and 36 assists in 50 games, demonstrating consistent offensive production and improved defensive play. Clarke and his brother Graeme were both selected for the 2024 AHL All-Star Game, marking a rare achievement as only the second pair of brothers to attend the event together, following Peter and Chris Ferraro in 1997 and 2003.
Clarke earned recognition for his strong rookie AHL season by being named to both the All-Rookie Team and Second All-Star Team. He appeared in 16 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2023-24 season, contributing two goals and four assists. The highlight of his season came on February 17, 2024, when Clarke scored his first career NHL goal, an overtime game-winner, to lift the Kings to a 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clarke has established himself as a new-era defenceman who excels in transition play and offensive contribution while maintaining solid defensive fundamentals. He possesses excellent skating ability that allows him to join the rush effectively and recover defensively when caught up ice. His defensive stick control and tactical positioning have earned praise from coaches and scouts. Clarke demonstrates creativity and eagerness when breaking out of the defensive zone, frequently making smart outlet passes to start counterattacks. His combination of offensive instincts and defensive responsibility makes him a valuable two-way presence on the blue line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clarke reached several significant career milestones during his first full professional seasons. His overtime goal against the Boston Bruins in February 2024 represented a career-defining moment, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Throughout his junior career with the Barrie Colts, he set franchise records for defencemen scoring and demonstrated the offensive capability that made him a top-10 draft selection. His consistent representation at international tournaments, including World Junior and World U18 Championships, provided additional opportunities to compete against the world’s best young players.
Brandt Clarke Career Wins
Clarke has accumulated notable achievements across international tournaments and junior hockey competitions throughout his career.
International Highlights
Clarke represented Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships in Frisco, Texas, where he helped lead Canada to a gold medal. He averaged a point-per-game during the tournament and earned selection to the tournament All-Star Team, recognizing his status as one of the top defencemen in the competition. Clarke continued his international success at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax and Moncton, New Brunswick. He scored two goals and recorded six assists in seven games, including an assist on the game-winning goal in the championship final. Team Canada captured the gold medal on January 5, 2023, defeating Czechia in overtime.
Junior Hockey Achievements
At the OHL level, Clarke earned multiple All-Star selections throughout his major junior career. He was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team following his 2019-20 season and received All-Star recognition again after his record-breaking 2022-23 campaign with the Barrie Colts, earning spots on both the OHL and CHL First All-Star Teams. These honors reflected his consistent dominance as one of the top defencemen in Canadian major junior hockey.
Brandt Clarke Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Brandt Clarke comes from a family deeply entrenched in hockey at multiple levels. His father, Chris Clarke, played junior hockey in Southern Ontario, establishing the family’s presence in Canadian hockey. Clarke’s older brother, Graeme Clarke, has pursued a professional career and currently plays for the Belleville Senators in the AHL, having previously been drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Their sister, Mackenzie Clarke, has played collegiate hockey at St. Lawrence University, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
Personal Life
During his time with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2022-23 season, Clarke billetied at the home of Jonathan Quick, the Kings’ veteran goaltender and the team’s oldest player at that time. This arrangement provided Clarke with mentorship from an experienced NHL veteran as he navigated his early professional career. Clarke’s family connection to hockey extends to his brothers and sister, all of whom have competed at high levels, creating a supportive environment for his continued development as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season, Clarke continues his development with the Los Angeles Kings organization as a promising young defenceman with two-way capability. His progression from junior hockey to professional competition has shown steady improvement, and he has begun to establish himself as a reliable contributor at the NHL level while continuing to refine his game in the AHL when reassigned. The Kings have maintained patience with his development, providing opportunities for ice time and experience at the highest level when roster circumstances allow.
Clarke benefits from strong organizational support and mentorship within the Kings franchise, which has historically developed young talent effectively. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility positions him well for an expanded role as he gains experience. The trajectory of his early career suggests continued growth, and his international success at multiple tournaments demonstrates his capability to perform in high-pressure situations. As Clarke enters his mid-twenties, he appears poised to solidify his place as a consistent NHL contributor with potential for increased responsibility and leadership within the Los Angeles blue line corps.