Brandt Clarke
Brandt Clarke (born February 9, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted eighth overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Clarke has developed into one of the more promising young blueliners in the league.
Early Life and Background
Brandt Clarke was born on February 9, 2003, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in an athletic family with deep roots in ice hockey, a sport that shaped his childhood and set the foundation for his career as a defenceman.
Both of his siblings and his father played the game. His father, Chris Clarke, played junior hockey in Southern Ontario, and his older brother, Graeme Clarke, has gone on to play professionally in the American Hockey League (AHL). His sister, Mackenzie Clarke, has played for St. Lawrence University, continuing the family’s strong connection to the sport.
Through this family environment, Brandt Clarke was introduced to organized hockey at a young age and quickly progressed through the minor hockey ranks in Ontario, earning a reputation as a gifted defenceman with offensive instincts well beyond his age.
Path to Hockey
Clarke starred in minor hockey in Ontario and was widely regarded as one of the top draft-eligible players in his age group. On April 6, 2019, he was selected fourth overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2019 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection, marking the end of his high-profile minor hockey career and his entry into major junior hockey.
As a rookie with the Barrie Colts during the COVID-19-shortened 2019–20 season, Clarke led all rookie OHL defencemen in scoring with six goals and 32 assists, performances that established him as a clear first-round NHL prospect. At the conclusion of that season, he was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.
When the OHL regular season was cancelled the following year due to the pandemic, Clarke continued his development by playing on loan with HC Nové Zámky of the Tipsport Liga in Slovakia, where he was reunited with his brother Graeme. He recorded five goals and ten assists in 26 games, gaining valuable professional experience abroad before returning to North America for his draft year.
Brandt Clarke Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Clarke began his major junior career with the Barrie Colts in 2019 and immediately stood out as one of the OHL’s most dynamic young defencemen. His rookie production of 38 points in a shortened schedule drew national attention and set the stage for his NHL Draft projection.
His stint in Slovakia with HC Nové Zámky during the 2020–21 season broadened his game, exposing him to a professional environment at a young age and allowing him to play alongside his brother. By the end of that loan, Clarke was widely viewed as a top-ten talent for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL Breakthrough (2021–2023)
On July 23, 2021, Clarke was selected eighth overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on August 10, 2021, and was subsequently named captain of the Barrie Colts for the 2021–22 OHL season, becoming the 22nd captain in franchise history.
Clarke made his NHL regular-season debut on October 13, 2022, in a home game against the Seattle Kraken. He recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, on October 20, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the seventh youngest defenceman and 18th youngest player in Kings history to record a point. While in Los Angeles, he billeted at the home of goaltender Jonathan Quick.
During the 2022–23 season, Clarke was reassigned to the Barrie Colts in January 2023, where he scored 61 points in 31 regular-season games, tied the franchise record for goals in a single season by a defenceman with 23, and became the Colts’ all-time regular-season scoring leader among defencemen with 158 points. His play earned him spots on both the OHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) First All-Star Teams.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2021–Present)
Clarke split the 2023–24 season between the Ontario Reign of the AHL and the Los Angeles Kings. With the Reign, he registered 10 goals and 36 assists in 50 games, and he and his brother Graeme were both selected for the 2024 AHL All-Star Game, becoming the second pair of brothers to attend the event together.
On February 17, 2024, Clarke scored his first NHL goal, an overtime tally that gave the Kings a 5–4 victory over the Boston Bruins. He appeared in 16 games with Los Angeles that season, finishing with two goals and four assists, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team.
Entering the 2025 season, Clarke continues to be a key piece of the Kings’ young defensive core, splitting time between the NHL club and the Ontario Reign as he works toward an established full-time role in Los Angeles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clarke is widely described as a new-era defenceman whose game blends reliable defensive play with strong offensive creativity. He is recognized for his excellent stick control, tactical positioning, and composure under pressure, along with his eagerness to break out of the defensive zone and contribute to the attack.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Clarke’s most memorable early milestones are his overtime winner against the Boston Bruins on February 17, 2024, and his record-setting 2022–23 campaign with the Barrie Colts, during which he set franchise marks for goals and points by a defenceman. He has also represented Canada at multiple international tournaments, winning gold at both the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Brandt Clarke Career Wins
At the NHL level, Clarke has recorded his first career goal and multiple assists across stints with the Los Angeles Kings. His competitive résumé also includes a major junior career highlighted by record-setting offensive production and international gold medals representing Canada.
NHL Highlights
In his NHL career to date, Clarke has appeared for the Los Angeles Kings across parts of three seasons. His most notable performance came on February 17, 2024, when he scored his first NHL goal in overtime to defeat the Boston Bruins 5–4, a signature moment in his young professional career.
Other Wins and Performances
Clarke captured a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he averaged a point per game and was named to the tournament All-Star Team. He added a second gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, recording two goals and six assists in seven games and assisting on the overtime game-winning goal against Czechia in the final.
Brandt Clarke Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Clarke family. Brandt’s father, Chris Clarke, played junior hockey in Southern Ontario, and both of his siblings have followed him into the sport. His older brother, Graeme Clarke, plays for the Belleville Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, while his sister, Mackenzie Clarke, plays for St. Lawrence University.
Personal Life
Clarke comes from a close-knit athletic family that has supported his development throughout his hockey career. His early bond with the game was shaped by his father and siblings, and he has continued to share milestone moments on the ice with his brother Graeme at both the junior and professional levels.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Clarke is expected to compete for an expanded role with the Los Angeles Kings as part of the team’s emerging young defensive group. His mix of offensive skill and defensive responsibility makes him a strong candidate to take on a more prominent position on the Kings’ blueline.
Throughout the early part of the 2025 campaign, Clarke has continued to split time between the Kings and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, using each opportunity to refine his game against higher-level competition. His record-setting production in junior and his steady development in the AHL suggest he is on track to establish himself as a full-time NHL contributor.
With a supportive organization in Los Angeles and a clear pathway to regular NHL minutes, Clarke’s outlook for 2025 and beyond remains highly promising as he works toward becoming a cornerstone of the Kings’ defence.
