David Clarkson (ice hockey)
A tenacious NHL winger who carved out a decade-long career through sheer grit, transforming from an undrafted player into a fan favorite.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Canadian ice hockey player and coach·Birthday: March 31·Millennials
Biography
David Clarkson's path to the NHL was never guaranteed. Undrafted, he clawed his way up from the Ontario Hockey League, where his physical style and nose for the net with the Kitchener Rangers caught the attention of the New Jersey Devils. In Newark, he perfected the role of the modern power forward—a player who could agitate, fight, and, surprisingly, score. His breakout 2012-13 season, where he netted 30 goals, was a testament to his hard work in the gritty areas of the ice. A lucrative free-agent move to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs followed, though injuries began to hamper the later stages of his career. Clarkson's legacy is that of a self-made player whose relentless energy and loyalty made him a cornerstone in the Devils' lineup during their 2012 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a career-high 30 goals in the 2012-13 season with the New Jersey Devils.
- Played a key role for the Devils team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2012.
- Won the Memorial Cup in 2003 as a member of the Kitchener Rangers.
- Played over 500 games in the NHL across ten seasons despite going undrafted.
Did You Know?
He was a childhood friend of fellow NHL player Steve Stamkos.
Clarkson was known for his community work in New Jersey, particularly with children's charities.
His first NHL goal was a game-winner against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2007.
After retiring, he became a part-owner and director of player development for the junior hockey team the Colorado Grit.
“You earn your ice time every single shift.”
