David Clarke (ice hockey)

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David Clarke (born August 5, 1981 is a British ice hockey player and a current member of the British national ice hockey team squad.

Clarke was born in Peterborough, England and began playing ice hockey in the local junior development system. He made his senior debut at the age of 15 for the Peterborough Pirates in the British National League. He made thirteen appearances for the club throughout the season, scoring one goal.

Clarke spent each of the next five seasons playing for the Pirates, totaling 96 points from 135 appearance. He made his debut for the national team in the 1999 World Junior Championships before being promoted into the full seniors a year later.

In 2000, Clarke signed for Superleague side Newcastle Jesters. British players were a rarity in the league at the time and Clarke earned seven points from forty-one appearances. In 2001, financial problems at Newcastle saw Clarke move to the London Knights, where he scored three points from ten appearances.

In 2002, Clarke moved back to the British National League by joining the Guildford Flames, scoring forty-nine points in forty-one appearances.

When the Superleague folded during the summer of 2003, the remaining clubs formed the Elite Ice Hockey League. Clarke was signed by the Nottingham Panthers where he became a fans favourite taking thirty points from forty four games in his first season and sixty-one from sixty in his second. In 2005-06, Clarke re-signed for the third season in Nottingham, totaling 26 points from fouty four appearances.

In the 2006-07 Clarke re-signed once again under new Coach Mike Ellis and Assis.Coach Calle Carllson, Clarke was also named captain following a player vote.

For the 2007-08 season, Clarke played for Alleghe in Italy before re-signing for the Nottingham Panthers for the 2008-09 season.