Columbus, OH - He sits in the stands of the arena, watching every move of the young prospects within the Blue Jackets organization. All the while, he takes studious notes chronicling their on-ice development as training camp progresses towards its conclusion. He is ever-present, observing the future of the hockey club.
Having retired from a ten year career and 607 NHL games in 2011, he decided to call the Arch City home. He wore the Union Blue from 2009-2011, after being traded from the Washington Capitals midway through the 2009 season.
On June 5, 2011, former player Chris Clark was hired as the Development Coach for the Blue Jackets when Tyler Wright was promoted to Director of Amateur Scouting. His role consists of assisting the organizations prospects develop, whether they play in the minor leagues, major junior leagues or at the college level.
"I talked with Tyler Wright, who had the job before me, a bunch of times. We'd played against each other for a long time and I talked to him about his role."
The South Windsor, CT native is a fixture around the arena each summer during development camp and now during the main training camp. He credits two men for advice and knowledge in helping him get to where he is today.
"The one piece of advice I got for post-career was from George McPhee (former GM of the Washington Capitals). He said to me, 'if you ever want to stay in hockey, whether it's coaching, management, whatever, don't take time off, do it right away'." And that's exactly what he did.
"That was something I thought about and then (former Columbus GM) Scott Howson... I was grateful that he let me kind of intern the second half of that season (2011-12). I sat up in the (Hockey Operations) box with him and the rest of the management team. He gave me a scouting book and taught me the ropes on how to do it. So, I sat up there for probably 15-20 home games."
"When Tyler Wright got moved into the role of Director of Amateur Scouting, it opened up that position. So, I interviewed for the position. I love the job. I love the travel and being with the guys. It's not as if you're a coach and being part of the team, but I've seen some of these guys for two or three years and can see their development. Seeing them do well makes me feel proud, almost like a father."
The Blue Jackets have very good depth among all of the positions and it is Clark's job to ride herd on these prospects and work with the organization and the coaching staffs of both Columbus and the Springfield Falcons (AHL affiliate) to ensure that the players are developing properly.
Columbus has not always had this depth. It wasn't all that long ago that players might be unnecessarily rushed into the NHL, to the detriment of their development and ultimately to the team. But now, the cupboard appears almost full.
"I think, looking at it now and for the last couple of years," said Clark, "the depth of the prospects coming in has been really high, along with the depth of the team itself. So, there is no rush to bring in guys and have them play over their heads."
"Whatever we do [with prospects] this year, they can be seasoned, whether it's a year, a month, whatever it is. If they're good enough to play, they're going to play. But, if they need some time, we have the depth within this organization to give them the time that they need."
A huge part of helping the players develop that demonstrably benefits both Columbus and Springfield is the relationship these two organizations have with each other. They've been affiliated since the 2010-11 season and just signed an extension through 2015-16, with an option for two additional seasons. Communication is the key that makes this affiliation work so well.
"I think it's huge. You see it with most teams now, and Columbus has been doing it for a few years, they teach the same systems (in Springfield) that they teach up here in Columbus."
"So when a guy does get called up, he doesn't have to think about a new system or how they play. He'll be nervous as it is. He doesn't need to be going over a new system with the coaches 20 minutes before a game. He can just go out and play."
"For the most part, it's the exact same systems. They just have to get used to the players, the speed and show what they can do instead of thinking about where they're supposed to be on the ice and how they're supposed to play."
With Clark overseeing the development of the prospects, he can see what makes them "tick". He guides them along the journey to becoming a professional hockey player in the NHL, all the while evaluating what will help them succeed. A lot of it comes down to personal motivation. Center Michael Chaput and defenseman Cody Goloubef's names were brought into the conversation.
"Yes, I think it is their drive," said Clark, "because obviously, they weren't ready right away. A lot of guys don't have the path to the NHL that they would like. If it's step-by-step, they want to keep going up. But sometimes, there are steps back or there's not enough room. You might be good enough but there's not a spot for you. It's really hard for some of these guys to figure that out."
"But these two [Chaput and Goloubef], they were in the minors and they were focusing on being better players. They weren't down there pouting or saying 'why aren't I up here?' It's a real credit to them. And it's the same with Tim Erixon. It's not what they want, but they are good enough players that they will get there. They just have to believe in themselves."
This year, all three first round draft picks from last year are in training camp. In the event that Alex Wennberg, Kerby Rychel and/or Marko Dano do not make the team out of camp, what will Clark say to them to keep their minds and attitudes focused on making it into the NHL?
"It will come", he said. "We haven't mentioned that to them yet, because they're here to make the team. That's what's in their minds and they're going to go full-bore and focus on that. Who knows what will happen? We've got a week left in camp. One, two or all three might make the team. They might be good enough, but if they're not, we'll have that conversation when it comes."
"Our Springfield coaches are great and will be with them every day. And I'll be with them periodically throughout the year, but staying in contact with them, as well. It's a team effort between the coaches in Columbus when the players are here and the coaches down in Springfield when they have them, and I'll be working between them."
Chris Clark is another former player that has fallen in love with what Columbus, both the hockey team and the city, has to offer. It's been steadily gaining a reputation within the hockey community as a great place to work, live and raise a family. He knows this firsthand.
"I loved it when I was here (as a player)," he said. "I still had our place in Washington D.C. We made the decision to move to Columbus (permanently) after I was done playing, because I could do this from anywhere. I don't have to be here, but it's nice to be around the team all the time."
"I left the decision up to my wife and kids to see what they wanted to do. It was unanimous among them, so we sold the house in D.C. and moved here. It's been great and exactly what we wanted with the schools and the neighborhoods. It helps out me, as well, being close to the team."
You might not always see Chris Clark, but you can bet that he's always around when the Blue Jackets prospects are in town. And if you see him, you can be assured that he'll greet you with a smile and a warm greeting. He may be from New England, but he's got this Midwestern thing down pat.
