NHL's All-Time hits leader Cal Clutterbuck waves Goodbye After 17 Seasons

For almost twenty years, Clutterbuck had earned a reputation as one of the most physically punishing and relentless players in the NHL. Known more for his fearless checking than goal production, he carried on a blue-collar work ethic that earned him the affection of fans and teammates alike. At the age of 37, with the departure of Clutterbuck from the ice, the league loses not just a player but an icon of old-school toughness in an evolving game.


Cal Clutterbuck 's career: From Minnesota Beginnings to the Islanders Brotherhood


Cal Clutterbuck began his NHL journey when he was picked up by the Minnesota Wild , 72nd overall in the 2006 NHL Draft. Before long, the Ontario native made himself a real force, garnering recognition throughout the league in the 2008-09 season for setting a then-record 356 hits in a single season. Though never the flashiest on the score sheet, Clutterbuck made his intensity indispensable on the ice.

Cal Clutterbuck announced his NHL retirement with this video on Instagram.

“I’m retiring from the NHL. I really have no idea how to do this, so … that’s it.” 😅 pic.twitter.com/hAL9hb4WPl

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 23, 2025

After a six-season career with the Wild, Clutterbuck was traded to the New York Islanders in a deal that determined the fates of both Clutterbuck and the Isles for years to come. Becoming part of the identity of Islanders, fought head-on with the characters of the punishing fourth line along with Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas. As a unit, the trio built a legacy of relentless forechecking, high-energy shifts, and elixir chemistry which carved the way of performing playoff runs, from 2016 to 2021.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIy-BCltyoA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIy-BCltyoA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Even late in his career, Clutterbuck remained durable for Grant. He played six periods of the 2023-24 season, scoring seven goals and 19 points in total. In 1,064 regular-season games, he registered 293 points (143 goals, 150 assists), while adding 12 goals for 20 points in the postseason during 81 contests.


Incredibly, Clutterbuck ends his career in the NHL as the all-time leader with a career total of 4029 hits, which goes to show just how fearless and punishing he has played the game. Just over 100 more than his longtime linemate Matt Martin, Clutterbuck will forever have his name etched in the annals of the league.


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This was a very physical departure for Cal Clutterbuck, marking the end of an era in physicality in the NHL. More than just a stat line, Clutterbuck's career defined heart, hustle, and sacrifice — characteristics that shall have echoes in Long Island and beyond.