Why the Maple Leafs Are Reportedly Bringing Back Kyle Clifford on a One-Year Deal With the Marlies
Kyle Clifford is reportedly remaining in the Maple Leafs organization.
The 33-year-old forward has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies, according to The Hockey News’ Jacob Stoller.
Clifford has been a mainstay with the Marlies over the last two years. He’s played 99 regular season games with AHL Toronto and has 18 goals and 30 assists in that span. Clifford scored five goals and seven assists in 10 playoff games with the Marlies.
The forward was also an assistant captain with the team last season, being a massive help to the crop of younger players who are finding their way through the early years of pro hockey.
Marlies head coach John Gruden and several players have added that what Clifford brings to their dressing room — over 800 games of NHL experience and two Stanley Cups with the LA Kings — is irreplaceable.
The veteran forward, known for not being afraid of anyone or anything on the ice, led the Marlies with 140 penalty minutes last season. Three situations involving Clifford, where he defended his teammates earlier this year, caught the attention of fans around the hockey world.
First, former Belleville Senators forward Bokonji Imama speared Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby in a game on Jan. 12. Clifford was on his way to the dressing room as the second period just ended, but returned to the ice after seeing what happened to his teammate.
Clifford and Imama were both suspended for three games.
A few months later, he tried to fight former Marlies defenseman (and Maple Leafs prospect) Joseph Duszak after the defender scored and had some words for Toronto’s bench while playing with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds on Mar. 9.
The most notable situation came after Belleville eliminated Toronto in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs in late April. Clifford and Imama exchanged words in the handshake line before the Marlies forward went after the Senators’ forward.
The two on-ice officials separated the two players before anything could happen.
