Inferno Interview - Doug Clarkson

Doug Clarkson makes his UK ice hockey debut for the Devils this coming season and has a point to prove. Hailing from Ontario but with a Scottish father, Doug played 5 games for the Adirondack Phantoms in the AHL last year but player movements kept his season short. Looking for a more stable year, Doug is heading across the Atlantic to sunny Wales and we caught up with him to find out what we can expect from his game

The-Inferno - How and when did you get involved in Ice Hockey?

Doug Clarkson - I started skating when I was about 3 or 4. My father played hockey when he was younger and is a huge Leafs fan so my brother and I both started skating very early.

The-Inferno - What attracted you to the UK? Did you know much about the league and UK Hockey in general before you were approached by the Devils?

Doug Clarkson - We still have family in the UK and we have visited them over the years. The scenery and the way of life in general is so much different than it is here in Canada. I am a big football fan as well so that doesn't hurt. I knew a little bit from my good friend Adam Keefe, and some guys that come skate in the summer including Faulkner and Marsh. All of them had nothing but great things to say.

The-Inferno - Is there anyone playing for the Devils that you know already? How about in the rest of the league?

Doug Clarkson - Faulkner and Marsh are the two that would skate with us during the summer. Adam Keefe and new Braehead Clan player Zack Fitzgerald. But especially here at home you always skate with guys that play all over Europe and find out about different places.

The-Inferno - Have you had a chance to look at the league and the rivalries that the Devils have in the Elite League as yet ? If so do you have any thoughts?

Doug Clarkson - I have looked and did a bit of research to know that Belfast and Coventry are big rivalries. Obviously the double and triple header trips are going to be exciting but I'm sure that these divisional rival games are going to be insane.

The-Inferno - Can you give us an insight into what Devils fans can expect from yourself?

Doug Clarkson - The Cardiff fans can expect me to come out and play hard every night. I am a guy that likes to use my size to fore check and protect the puck. I like to produce offensively while still being responsible in my own end and working hard every shift.

The-Inferno - You only played a handful of games last season, can you tell us about that as you had call ups from the ECHL to the AHL!

Doug Clarkson - Yeah last season I was on contract with Adirondack, and was sent down to the ECHL for 3 weeks during December. Even though I only played a handful of games in the AHL, being there training and practising all season was a great experience.

Philadelphia is such a great organization and we had a lot of great players under contract. The coaching staff and players were amazing there all year, it was just a numbers game in the end.

The-Inferno - What have you been told about the Big Blue Tent (The rink we currently have)? Was the proposed new venue an incentive to signing for the Devils?

Doug Clarkson - I have been told it's older, small but crazy. The new rink wasn't an incentive per se, but it was an added bonus. I want to play for a team where I can see myself playing for a long time and that place is Cardiff. After speaking to Andrew Lord, Todd Kelman and Neil Francis I knew this was where I wanted to play. The professionalism and excitement from them and the fans is unbelievable.

The-Inferno - We like to ask players if they have set themselves goals for the season to come and what expectations they have of their own and the team’s performance. Have you set yourself any goals for the season?

Doug Clarkson - I think everyone has expectations to a certain extent. I definitely want to help this team win, first and foremost. I feel like I can contribute offensively as well as being responsible defensively. I think we have a great group of guys who all can score, fore check and play a strong all round game. I have no doubt that this season will be exciting and hopefully a very successful one.

The-Inferno - You played in the NHL preseason according to the press release from the club, for the fans who don't follow the NHL what does that involve?

Doug Clarkson - That was amazing. After I signed an AHL deal with Philadelphia they asked me to come to training camp with the Flyers, which was incredible. They told me I was in the lineup for the first preseason game of the year against Toronto and that was an amazing feeling.

The-Inferno - Can you tell us what your proudest achievement to date as a pro hockey player?

Doug Clarkson - Playing and scoring against the Maple Leafs in preseason. We are huge Leaf fans and my brother had just signed with them, so to have my parents, brother, sister, and my whole family along with friends watching me play against the Leafs was something I'll never forget.

The-Inferno - The BBT has the fans sitting quite high above the ice and it really does rock when the fans see an opposition player turned over. What's the best venue you've played in so far?

Doug Clarkson - The best venue I've played at home for has to be Toledo in the ECHL. The old building was apparently like the BBT but their new one was 8,000 seats, sold out, one of the nicest rinks I've been inside, and just as crazy with a goal, big hit or fight.

The-Inferno - What do you consider the strongest part of your game and what 1 thing would you improve - and why?

Doug Clarkson - I think how I use my size and shot are my strongest parts of my game. I like to get the puck and protect it and get open for shots. I think that my speed was an issue when I was younger but last season and this summer have been huge for my speed.

The-Inferno - Have you told your dad about the Scottish double and triple headers the team have this season? Have you heard about the epic fan following for these games?

Doug Clarkson - Yeah, right when I signed my dad was on his computer in minutes looking at the fixtures, news releases, etc. My parents are very excited. I have heard from people who have played in Cardiff and against them how great the fans are. I can only imagine what these double and triple headers are going to be like.

The-Inferno - Anything else you would like to add?

Doug Clarkson - Just want to add that this season is going to be a lot of fun for the fans and us players. We have a plan as a team and I think the pieces we have from management to coaches to players are all on the same page and have one goal in mind. To win.

Thanks to Chris and The Inferno.

Dougie Clarkson