Medicine Hat Tigers blueliner Cole Clayton defends in front of goaltender Mads Søgaard in this March 2019 file photo from a playoff game against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Clayton has signed a pro deal with the Cleveland Monsters.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Cole Clayton is the second Medicine Hat Tigers player to sign a professional hockey contract this week, signing Wednesday with the Columbus Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate team, the Cleveland Monsters.
“I felt awesome. It was definitely a huge relief for me and I was super excited and so were my parents, they’re really happy for me, too,” said Clayton.
The 21-year-old from Strathmore led all Western Hockey League defenceman in points in the 2020-21 shortened season, scoring a career-high nine goals and tying his career high with 30 points in just 23 games. Clayton was noticeable on the ice all season for the Tabbies and it led to talks with a few professional teams during the season.
“I kind of went into after our season was over hoping something was going to happen right away, it didn’t really but they told me to keep being patient,” he said. “I kept waiting and then a week or two ago Columbus offered me an AHL contract and a couple other teams also did, but I chose Columbus because they’re the best fit for me in Cleveland.”
Derek Dorsett, former Tigers assistant coach and newly signed development coach for the Blue Jackets, played a part in Cleveland being the right place for Clayton. He says having some familiarity with the Tigers made the decision a lot easier.
“Right when they offered me, I phoned him and kind of asked him what his thoughts were and it is definitely good to be able to bounce ideas off him and I know I’ll have his help and him in my corner always, so that’s definitely huge for me,” said Clayton.
Clayton says heading into the 2021-21 season, his main goal is to have a really good year and earn an NHL contract.
The defenceman signed his professional contract the day after former Tabbies captain Ryan Chyzowski signed his with the Toronto Marlies. In a non-COVID year, the Monsters and Marlies are in the same division and the two former Tigers will find themselves on opposite sides of the ice for the first time in a while.
“It’ll definitely be weird going from being his teammate for four years and then being across the ice, but I know he’ll play me hard and I’ll do the same against him,” Clayton said with a laugh. “It’ll be cool to compete against each other, we haven’t been able to do that in a long time. So, it will be pretty cool, but I definitely will miss playing beside him that’s for sure.”
Clayton says he’s grateful for the Tigers organization and everything they’ve done for him over the four years he’s been in the Hat. He adds he appreciates the city, the fans and especially his coaches who pushed him this year, were always in his corner and helped him achieve his goal of going pro.
He came into the 2020-21 season with a goal of earning a professional contract and he did just that. Clayton thinks his journey can show others that sticking with the process can work.
“It kind of shows that you can go through the process, keep developing and you’ll get your chance some day, and I think that’s huge for the guys coming into Medicine Hat to see,” said Clayton.
“Obviously, me and all the other guys on our team this year really put in the effort to improve and develop, and I think we were able to do that. We were able to do well individually and as a team, so that’s a big thing for us in Medicine Hat. We want to win championships and sign pro contracts – we got one of those this year.”
