Kale Clague Bio
Kale Clague (born June 5, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 51st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2016 NHL entry draft. Clague has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, building a career that has spanned multiple organizations across both North American leagues.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 176 pounds, Clague shoots left and has been recognized for his offensive skill set from the blue line. A product of the Western Hockey League (WHL), he developed into one of the top defencemen in his draft class before turning professional in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Kale Clague was born on June 5, 1998, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to parents Jason and Juanita. Growing up in nearby Lloydminster, he came from a family with deep roots in Canadian hockey. His father, Jason, was a goaltender for the 2000–01 Lloydminster Border Kings, a team later inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. His uncle, Trevor Hanas, also played five seasons in the Western Hockey League before a brief career in minor professional hockey.
As a youth, Clague split his time between ice hockey and baseball, excelling in both sports. He helped the Lloydminster Twins Peewee AA baseball team win the Western Canadian Baseball Championship in 2010 and also captured the Alberta Peewee Provincial Championship. Clague attended Holy Rosary High School and won the prestigious Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament, a respected youth showcase that has produced several future NHL players.
During his bantam career, Clague set a new scoring record for defencemen in Alberta’s bantam AAA ranks, recording 35 goals and 77 points in 33 games. That total surpassed the previous mark held by former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, who had 65 points. The performance earned him a spot on the Alberta Major Hockey League (AMHL) First All-Star Team in 2013–14 and a captaincy for Alberta at the 2013 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, where he led his team to a gold medal.
Path to Hockey
Clague’s prolific bantam numbers made him one of the most sought-after defencemen for the 2013 Western Hockey League bantam draft, where the Brandon Wheat Kings selected him sixth overall. He appeared in four preseason games with the Wheat Kings during the 2013–14 WHL season, posting two goals and five points before being returned to the Alberta Midget Hockey League to continue his development. He rejoined Brandon for the 2014 WHL Playoffs.
At 16 years old, Clague made his official WHL rookie debut with the Wheat Kings, though a series of injuries limited him to just 20 games. Reflecting on that difficult first year, Clague noted the challenge of staying patient while recovering and credited Brandon’s training staff for helping him return healthy for the 2015–16 season. His second WHL campaign was a breakout, as he recorded 43 points in 71 regular-season games and earned an invitation to the 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. By the end of the playoffs, he tied for second among WHL defencemen in scoring with 14 points in 21 games.
That production convinced the Los Angeles Kings to select Clague 51st overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He attended the Kings’ 2016 development camp but suffered a leg injury when an Arizona Coyotes prospect hit him into the end boards, forcing an early exit. Upon returning to the WHL, he was named an alternate captain for the Wheat Kings and continued to develop into one of the league’s most dynamic young defencemen.
Kale Clague Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Clague opened the 2016–17 WHL season by earning WHL Player of the Week honors for the week ending October 23, 2016, after posting six points in his first two games following his leg injury. His strong play led the Los Angeles Kings to sign him to a three-year entry-level contract on March 6, 2017. At the time of the signing, he led Brandon defencemen in points and assists and ranked second in goals with five. He was also named a WHL Eastern Conference First Team All-Star.
The following offseason, Clague participated in the Kings’ rookie and training camps, appearing in two preseason games against the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights. By January 2018, he had amassed 47 points in 28 games, tying defenceman David Quenneville for the WHL scoring lead among blueliners. On January 17, 2018, ahead of the WHL Trade Deadline, Clague was dealt to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for Luka Burzan, Chase Hartje, a second-round pick in the 2018 WHL bantam draft, and first-round picks in the 2019 and 2021 WHL drafts.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2019–2021)
Clague made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings on December 21, 2019, against the Buffalo Sabres. He went on to appear in three more games during his first NHL call-up, averaging 14:34 in time on ice per appearance. After returning to the AHL, his strong play earned him a selection to the 2020 AHL All-Star Game, as he led Ontario Reign defencemen with 16 points in 33 games at the time of his nod.
When the NHL resumed play for the 2020–21 season, Clague cracked the Kings’ opening night roster. On August 6, 2021, he signed a one-year extension with Los Angeles worth an annual value of $761,250 at the NHL level. The deal reflected the organization’s belief in his continued growth as a depth defenceman with offensive upside.
Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres Era (2021–2025)
Assigned by Los Angeles to begin the 2021–22 season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, Clague was recalled twice by the Kings and registered five assists in 11 games before being placed on waivers. On December 4, 2021, he was claimed by the Montreal Canadiens, marking his first change of organization at the NHL level.
After his time with Montreal, Clague signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent on July 13, 2022. He spent three seasons within the Sabres organization, contributing at both the NHL and AHL levels. As a free agent again in the summer of 2025, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, 2025, joining the Manitoba Moose for the 2025–26 campaign.
Winnipeg Jets / Manitoba Moose Era (2025–Present)
Clague joined the Winnipeg Jets organization on July 1, 2025, signing a one-year, two-way contract that runs through the 2025–26 season. He was assigned to the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ AHL affiliate, where he continues to play a top-four defensive role. His contract with Winnipeg runs through 2026.
Known for his smooth skating and puck-moving ability, Clague fits the modern profile of an offensive defenceman. The Jets organization values his transition game and his power-play upside, hoping he can develop into a steady call-up option for the parent club throughout the 2025–26 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clague has been widely praised for his skating, vision, and offensive instincts from the blue line. Scout John Williams described him as an excellent skater with strong vision, a solid first pass out of the zone, and composure under pressure. Clague has compared his playing style to that of Los Angeles Kings star Drew Doughty, citing similar mobility and poise. He has described himself as an offensive defenceman who sees the ice well while continuing to work hard in his own end.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clague’s career has been highlighted by several memorable moments, including setting an Alberta bantam AAA scoring record for defencemen, earning WHL Player of the Week honors in 2016, and being named a WHL Eastern Conference First Team All-Star. Internationally, he won gold with Canada at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and added a World Junior gold medal during his final year of eligibility. He also made his NHL debut with the Kings on December 21, 2019, a career milestone that capped a long development path through junior hockey.
Kale Clague International Play
Clague has represented Canada at several major international tournaments. He competed in the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for Team Black, recording one goal in four games. The following year, he won gold with Canada at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, scoring one goal in four games. In 2017, he returned to Team Canada as an assistant captain and helped the squad capture a silver medal at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In his final year of eligibility, he was again selected and won a gold medal at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Kale Clague Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Clague family. Clague’s father, Jason, was a goaltender for the 2000–01 Lloydminster Border Kings, a team later inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. His mother, Juanita, supported his early development alongside his father, and the family spent part of his upbringing in Lloydminster, Alberta. His uncle, Trevor Hanas, played five seasons in the Western Hockey League before a brief minor professional career, giving Clague an experienced voice in his corner as he pursued his own path in the game.
Personal Life
Clague attended Holy Rosary High School in Lloydminster, where he balanced his education with a demanding hockey schedule that included travel for elite tournaments. As a young professional, he has spent the majority of his career split between AHL cities and NHL training camps, adapting to life in multiple organizations including Los Angeles, Montreal, Buffalo, and now Winnipeg. He remains focused on his career and continues to develop within the Jets’ system.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks a new chapter for Clague, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, 2025. Assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, he is expected to anchor the team’s power play and contribute regularly on the blue line. The arrangement gives the Jets a depth option with NHL experience, allowing them to call him up as injuries and roster moves dictate throughout the year.
Coming off three seasons within the Buffalo Sabres organization, Clague brings a steady veteran presence to a younger Manitoba Moose roster. His ability to move the puck and quarterback a power play has been a consistent part of his game, and the Jets’ staff views him as a reliable two-way defender. With his contract running through 2026, the upcoming campaign offers him a chance to re-establish himself as a candidate for full-time NHL duty.
Looking ahead, Clague’s path back to the NHL depends on continued consistency at both ends of the ice and staying healthy through a long AHL schedule. If he can produce offensively while tightening his defensive game, he could position himself for an extended look with the Jets or a more lucrative contract as a free agent next summer. The 2025–26 season is therefore a critical opportunity to showcase the skills that made him a second-round pick in 2016.
