When it comes to NHL milestones, those who have participated in 1,000 career regular season games make up a very limited fraternity. Since the inception of the NHL in 1917-18, only 382 have accomplished that feat.
Number 384 will be Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck who is expected to play in his 1000th career NHL game on Wednesday night when the Isles host the Flyers at UBS Arena.
"I never really thought it was a possibility for me," said Clutterbuck after practice Tuesday at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. "When I was growing up, one game was a pipedream and then you play 100 and you think that's impressive. It's crazy, for sure, for me."
Considering the physical nature of Clutterbuck's game, reaching 1,000 career games is a remarkable achievement. The 36-year-old Clutterbuck is the NHL's all-time hits leader with 3,798 and while that means a lot to him, he knows that the record could be broken one day by a teammate.
33-year-old Matt Martin is not far behind with 3,734 career hits.
"I think Marty is nipping at my heels," said Clutterbuck. "He's a little younger than I am so we'll see how long that lasts."
To reach this special NHL milestone, Clutterbuck has been able to endure the pounding that it takes to play the game the way he does. He's had his share of injuries and has missed his share of games, but he's been able to endure the hills and valleys to get to this point.
"It takes more mental strength than it does physical," said Clutterbuck. "Sometimes the injuries can take its toll on you mentally and sometimes the seasons can be long and they don't always go the way you want them to. It's more of a mental test than it is physical."
Clutterbuck was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft and went on to play in 346 games over six seasons with the Wild. He was acquired by the Islanders, along with a third-round pick, in exchange for Nino Niederreiter at the NHL Draft on June 30, 2013.
And now, after 653 games as an Islander, Clutterbuck is on the precipice of 1000 career NHL games.
"It's pretty cool," said Islanders head coach Lane Lambert. "A guy with that type of longevity that plays the game the way he plays…it's a special special thing. He's an extremely intelligent player. He just knows the game and understands the game and that's why he's such a good penalty killer. With the hit total that he has, very rarely is he out of position delivering a hit. He's a very calculated player."
While Clutterbuck's 1000th NHL game is scheduled for the Islanders' new home UBS Arena, the rugged forward can't help of think of some other memorable regular-season games that took place at the Islanders' former long-time home Nassau Coliseum.
During his rookie season with the Wild in 2008-09, Clutterbuck broke the single-season hits record at the Coliseum against the Islanders.
There was also the return to Uniondale in 2018.
"We played Columbus coming back to the Coliseum," said Clutterbuck. "That was as crazy as I've seen it except for the playoffs. For a regular season game, the people and the players were just so excited to be back in that building. It was a special night."
Clutterbuck has enjoyed a lot of special nights and days playing in an Islanders uniform and Wednesday night is expected to be no different. As part of the Islanders' "Identity Line" with Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas, Clutterbuck has been part of one of the best fourth lines in hockey history. He helped the Islanders reach the NHL's final four in back-to-back-years in 2020 and 2021 as has been part of six Islanders teams to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It's been a long ride, but he overcame a lot to accomplish a lot in the NHL.
"You don't spend 18 years in pro sports and grow up through a junior league in the early 2000's without enduring your share of adversity," said Clutterbuck. "What doesn't kill you kind of makes you stronger is the mantra. You just learn how to keep on keeping on."
Cal Clutterbuck is hoping to keep on keeping on until he helps the Islanders finally reach that ultimate goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup.
