Cole Clayton went wild in 2018 despite being a decent shooting guard with good size.
In his last Junior Hockey season in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, his team only played 23 games due to Covid. Despite the shortened campaign, he did his best, leading all defensemen in points (30) and goals (9). That performance was enough for the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate the Columbus Blue Jackets, to offer him a one-year AHL contract.
After a solid first year of Pro Hockey, he jumped back with the beasts in the two-year AHL Conference for the 2023-24 season. After three years of hard work as a reliable two-pointer in the AHL, the Blue Jackets signed him to his first NHL contract on July 1, 2024.
After four years in the Blue Jackets Organization, the 6, 19, 199 native of Strathmore, Alberta, signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks this summer. For Clayton, who never changed junior teams during his four full years in the WHL and spent his career getting that point to that point on the banks of Lake Erie, joining San Jose was a change, but it was quickly accepted.
Clayton said: “Yeah, it was a little difficult at first, not knowing anyone coming in,” Clayton said. “But we have a great group of guys here, and they’ve made it really easy to transition.”
Although he has yet to play in the NHL, when the Sharks put their trust in him this summer, they see an up-and-coming player still building and improving.
“He’s young, he’s big, and he plays a mature game,” Barracuda General Manager Joe Will said. “For me, I look at Cole as hope.”
With the Shark in the middle of a rebuild, opportunities are available. For Clayton, this represents a great opportunity to crack the NHL lineup.
“It’s a place where they have kind of a growing team and there are other places to be taken,” he said. “Injuries happen all the time, so I just want to get my name in the mix so I can be one of the guys that gets called first.”
During the training camp and start the barracuda season, Clayton has been paired mainly with Luca Cagnoni, the selection of the AHL All-Rookie team last season. Last year, CAGNONI partner Jimmy Schuldt, who went on to see his first NHL action in six years.
Clayton has been very impressed with the composure that comes from 20 years of skill.
“He’s amazing, he’s so offensive, he’s so talented, he’s a great skater,” said Clayton of Cagnoni. “It’s good to see a guy with that kind of skill with the puck, and I’m just trying to play off him.”
Life in the AHL is not always glamorous, long bus rides, fractions, and constant travel come with the field. But the league has become more NHL-like than ever. The players are treated well, almost all meals are provided, and the staff has increased to give the players more support and attention. And just one injury or phone call away from the NHL. If you keep working, keep improving, and be the best player and teammate you can be, you’ll be ready when opportunity comes knocking.
All of the Sharks bare-shot defensemen are under contract through the 2025-26 season, so in theory, there could be a way to have the 25-year-old move to the NHL for the first time in his career.
“I just try to grow as a person and as a player every year,” Clayton said. “When you go into an AHL contract, there are a lot of things against you, so I tried to get my foot out the door, make myself an everyday player, and from there grow, hopefully, into a great man.”
Over his first four seasons in the AHL, all spent with Cleveland, Clayton developed strongly, adapting to the high speed and physicality of the pro game.
“It’s a fair, profitable shot,” said the will. “He’s physical and tough, and he adds a lot to us.”
Clayton grew up in Strathmore, Alberta, a town of about 12,000 located 40 minutes outside of Calgary. Like many children born around 2000, Jarome Iginla was his favorite player, and the Flames were his favorite team. The reputation was trash and the church.
During his Junior career, he played a few games against the Calgary hitters in Saddlenyoome, but before the Barracuda’s recent trip to Calgary, he had never played there as a pro. When he signed with the Sharks this summer, knowing he might start the year in the Ahl, he spread that road trip over the calendar.
“It’s special to play in front of my family and friends,” Clayton said. “My brothers came, I never saw them. My parents often come out when I play when I play, so it’s nice to be able to play in front of them.”
Strathmore is so small that, to have enough players for the team, they had to merge with the next town.
A small town kid with big dreams, Clayton has one hope to achieve his lifelong goal of playing in the NHL.
