QU Men's Ice Hockey's Tim Clifton Signs With NHL's San Jose Sharks
3/20/2017 2:26:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
SAN JOSE, California – Quinnipiac men's ice hockey senior assistant captain Tim Clifton (Matawan, New Jersey) has signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL), as announced by General Manager Doug Wilson on Monday, Mar. 20, 2017. Clifton will be assigned to the Sharks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
"Quinnipiac has given me the best four years of my life," Clifton said. "I wouldn't be where I am without this university. I'm honored to join the San Jose Sharks organization. It's a dream come true."
Clifton completed a four-year career with the Bobcats that saw him score 44 goals and assist on 51 more for 95 career points. Clifton ranked fifth among active NCAA Division I student-athletes with 21 power-play goals while his 11 game-winning goals were tied for eighth. This season, Clifton scored a team-leading 13 goals while also dishing out 12 assists for 25 points. He scored a team-high seven power-play goals and was third on the Bobcats' roster with three game-winning goals. In 22 ECAC Hockey games, Clifton led Quinnipiac with eight goals while assisting on five more. Clifton also won 58% of his face-offs, which placed him 19th nationally and sixth in ECAC Hockey.
"We're very proud of Tim and wish him the best with the San Jose organization," Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said. "I think it's a great fit for him - San Jose is a world class organization. He's worked hard to develop his game and has helped elevate our program to another level. I wish him the best of luck as he pursues his dream of playing in the National Hockey League. "
Clifton's break-out season came in 2016 when he was an ECAC Hockey Second Team selection after scoring 19 goals and assisting on 24 more for 43 points – all career highs – while helping Quinnipiac advance to its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament as well as the program's second NCAA Frozen Four and National Championship Game.
"Tim is a skilled, feisty forward who excels in the face-off circle and we're excited he has chosen San Jose amongst the many suitors he had," Wilson said, via release on Sharks.com. "We feel our club has a strong track record of providing an environment where undrafted free agents can prosper and make an impact at the NHL level, and we are confident that Tim has the ability to follow that mold. We also want to thank and congratulate Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold and his staff for their hard work that has helped Tim grow and succeed as a young hockey player."
Four his four-year career, Clifton was part of a senior class that won 102 games, which stood second to North Dakota's 105. In addition, Clifton's senior class was one of seven in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey to win 20 games in each of his four years. He was also part of a team that appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, one NCAA Frozen Four and NCAA Championship Game, while they also captured two ECAC Hockey Regular-Season Cleary Cup Championships and the program's first Whitelaw Cup for winning the ECAC Hockey Championship tournament. During his time, Quinnipiac also advanced to four consecutive ECAC Hockey Semifinals.
"Quinnipiac has given me the best four years of my life," Clifton said. "I wouldn't be where I am without this university. I'm honored to join the San Jose Sharks organization. It's a dream come true."
Clifton completed a four-year career with the Bobcats that saw him score 44 goals and assist on 51 more for 95 career points. Clifton ranked fifth among active NCAA Division I student-athletes with 21 power-play goals while his 11 game-winning goals were tied for eighth. This season, Clifton scored a team-leading 13 goals while also dishing out 12 assists for 25 points. He scored a team-high seven power-play goals and was third on the Bobcats' roster with three game-winning goals. In 22 ECAC Hockey games, Clifton led Quinnipiac with eight goals while assisting on five more. Clifton also won 58% of his face-offs, which placed him 19th nationally and sixth in ECAC Hockey.
"We're very proud of Tim and wish him the best with the San Jose organization," Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said. "I think it's a great fit for him - San Jose is a world class organization. He's worked hard to develop his game and has helped elevate our program to another level. I wish him the best of luck as he pursues his dream of playing in the National Hockey League. "
Clifton's break-out season came in 2016 when he was an ECAC Hockey Second Team selection after scoring 19 goals and assisting on 24 more for 43 points – all career highs – while helping Quinnipiac advance to its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament as well as the program's second NCAA Frozen Four and National Championship Game.
"Tim is a skilled, feisty forward who excels in the face-off circle and we're excited he has chosen San Jose amongst the many suitors he had," Wilson said, via release on Sharks.com. "We feel our club has a strong track record of providing an environment where undrafted free agents can prosper and make an impact at the NHL level, and we are confident that Tim has the ability to follow that mold. We also want to thank and congratulate Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold and his staff for their hard work that has helped Tim grow and succeed as a young hockey player."
Four his four-year career, Clifton was part of a senior class that won 102 games, which stood second to North Dakota's 105. In addition, Clifton's senior class was one of seven in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey to win 20 games in each of his four years. He was also part of a team that appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, one NCAA Frozen Four and NCAA Championship Game, while they also captured two ECAC Hockey Regular-Season Cleary Cup Championships and the program's first Whitelaw Cup for winning the ECAC Hockey Championship tournament. During his time, Quinnipiac also advanced to four consecutive ECAC Hockey Semifinals.
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