Cole Clayton went undrafted in 2018 regardless of being a right-shot defenseman with good measurement.
In his remaining season of junior hockey within the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, his crew performed simply 23 video games on account of COVID. Regardless of the shortened marketing campaign, he made essentially the most of it, main all defensemen in factors (30) and targets (9). That efficiency was sufficient for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, to supply him a one-year AHL contract.
After a stable first yr of professional hockey, he re-upped with the Monsters on a two-year AHL contract by the 2023–24 season. Following three years of building himself as a dependable two-way defenseman within the AHL, the Blue Jackets signed him to his first NHL contract on July 1, 2024.
After 4 years within the Blue Jackets group, the 6-foot-2, 199-pound native of Strathmore, Alberta, signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks this summer season. For Clayton, who by no means modified junior groups throughout his 4 years within the WHL and spent his whole professional profession to that time on the banks of Lake Erie, becoming a member of San Jose was a change, however one he rapidly embraced.
“Yeah, it was slightly tough at first, not understanding anybody coming in,” mentioned Clayton. “However we’ve acquired an amazing group of men right here, and so they’ve made it very easy to transition.”
Though he has but to play within the NHL, when the Sharks signed him this summer season, they noticed an ascending participant nonetheless creating and enhancing.
“He’s nonetheless younger, he’s massive, and he performs a mature sport,” mentioned Barracuda Common Supervisor Joe Will. “To me, I have a look at Cole as a prospect.”
With the Sharks within the midst of a rebuild, alternatives can be found. For Clayton, this represents an amazing likelihood to doubtlessly crack an NHL lineup.
“It’s a spot the place they’re sort of a rising crew and there are some spots to be taken,” he mentioned. “Accidents occur on a regular basis, so I’m simply hoping to get my title within the combine to be one of many guys that will get known as up first.”
Throughout coaching camp and to start out the Barracuda season, Clayton has been paired primarily with Luca Cagnoni, an AHL All-Rookie Staff choice a season in the past. Final yr, Cagnoni’s primary associate was Jimmy Schuldt, who went on to see his first NHL motion in six years.
Clayton has already been extremely impressed by the 20-year-old’s composure and talent.
“He’s superb, very offensive, very expert, an amazing skater,” mentioned Clayton of Cagnoni. “It’s cool to see a man with that sort of poise and talent with the puck, and I simply attempt to play off him.”
Life within the AHL isn’t at all times glamorous, lengthy bus rides, layovers, and fixed journey include the territory. However the league has turn into extra just like the NHL than ever earlier than. Gamers are handled nicely, practically all meals are supplied, and staffs have expanded to present gamers extra help and a spotlight. You’re additionally only one damage or telephone name away from the NHL. When you preserve working, preserve creating, and be the very best participant and teammate you might be, you’ll be prepared when alternative knocks.
The entire Sharks’ present right-shot defensemen are solely underneath contract by the 2025–26 season, so in concept, there could possibly be a path for the 25-year-old to succeed in the NHL for the primary time in his profession.
“I’ve simply tried to develop as an individual and as a participant yearly,” Clayton mentioned. “While you’re coming in on an AHL contract, there are plenty of issues that go towards you, so I simply tried to get my foot within the door, make myself an on a regular basis participant, and from there develop into being, hopefully, a top-four man within the AHL.”
Over his first 4 seasons within the AHL, all spent with Cleveland, Clayton steadily progressed, adjusting to the elevated pace and physicality of the professional sport.
“He’s a proper shot, which is a bonus,” mentioned Will. “He’s bodily and powerful, and he’s a really welcome addition to us.”
Clayton grew up in Strathmore, Alberta, a city of about 12,000 situated roughly 40 minutes outdoors of Calgary. Like most youngsters born round 2000, Jarome Iginla was his favourite participant, and the Flames had been his favourite crew. The Saddledome was the cathedral.
Throughout his junior profession, he performed a handful of video games towards the Calgary Hitmen on the Saddledome, however previous to the Barracuda’s current journey to Calgary, he had by no means performed there as a professional. When he signed with the Sharks this summer season, understanding he’d doubtless begin the yr within the AHL, he circled that street journey on the calendar immediately.
“It’s fairly particular to play in entrance of my household and pals,” mentioned Clayton. “My brothers acquired to come back, I by no means actually get to see them. My mother and father normally come out to wherever I’m enjoying a few occasions a yr, so I get to see them, nevertheless it’s good to have the ability to play in entrance of my grandparents and household. They achieve this a lot for me, so it’s cool to have the ability to play in entrance of them.”
Strathmore is so small that, to have sufficient gamers for a crew, they needed to mix with the subsequent city over.
A small-town child with massive goals, Clayton hopes sooner or later to meet his lifelong aim of enjoying within the NHL.
