Getting to Know Freshman Adrian Clark

Leading up to the 2016-17 season, DartmouthSports.com will be taking a closer look at the 11-member Class of 2020 making their Big Green debut this fall.

A native of Toronto, Adrian Clark completed his final year of juniors playing for the South Shore Lumberjacks in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. A mid-season acquisition, Clark played in 33 games and helped his team reach the MJAHL South Division Finals. It was the first time in the history of the organization that South Shore made it beyond the first round of the playoffs. His coach Laurie Barron was the former coach former Big Green goalie goalie Charles Grant '16. Prior to his stint in the Maritimes, Adrian played a season and a half in the CCHL for the Carleton Place Canadians. As a rookie, he led the league in goals against average with a 1.98 mark and played a vital role in his team winning the CCHL Championship, the Fred Page Cup and a berth in the Royal Bank Cup, which is Canada's National Championship for junior hockey. For his efforts, he was selected to play for Canada East in the WJAC, which is one of the top international tournaments for juniors-age players. Clarke played minor midgets for the Oakville Rangers AAA organization in Ontario. The 2012-13 season saw the Rangers capture both the OMHA and OHL Cup Championship. In the OHL Cup, Adrian was the top goalie in the tournament.

What made you pick Dartmouth?
I chose Dartmouth because I feel it really encompassed the feeling of development that I was looking for in a school.

What are some other sports you played growing up and how did that helping you in hockey?
Growing up, I've always been a fan of playing tennis with my family or friends. The combination of fast lateral movements and hand-eye coordination are surprisingly similar to the kind of pushes that I have to do to move around my crease and maintain control of what I'm doing.

Why did you pick the position you play? Did you ever play anything else?
I started playing goalie in my living room where my older brother and I would play hockey. After a while of being a defenseman, I decided to transition my skills from the house to the rink and start playing in net for real. I don't think I ever would have had the confidence or even thought to be a goalie if I wasn't forced to because of my brother.

Where is your favorite place that you have already visited?
When I was 13 years old, my family and I visited Cancun, Mexico, on an all-inclusive trip. If I could go anywhere in the world right now it would definitely be back to there; nothing competes to being treated like a king for a week.

What are you planning on studying at Dartmouth?
I am planning on studying biology at Dartmouth, with a concentration in human anatomy. I plan to later get my master's in physiotherapy and continue into the career of sport or injury rehab.

Dogs or cats?
110% dogs. It is going to a tough time not to be able to see my Border Collie puppy named Max who is stuck at home.

What's something people may not know about you?
Random fact about me is that I have a hereditary disease called HHT. The symptoms are generally benign, but the only visual one is that I get about one nosebleed per day.

What do you remember most about your official visit?
The biggest thing that stood out to me when I first visited Dartmouth was how active everyone was. I visited in the fall and all of the tennis courts were filled with students and it felt like everyone was out for a jog.

Who was your favorite player growing up?
My favorite player for the past six years is goaltender Carey Price of the Montreal Canadians. I try to model my game after him and the way he makes all his saves look effortless and under full control.

What do you know about the tradition of hockey at Dartmouth?
My favorite tradition the Dartmouth hockey team continues is the game against Princeton with the tennis balls. I don't know how it's legal exactly, but I can't wait to be out there when it starts raining tennis balls.

What was your recruiting experience like?
My very first game at the Junior A level I was scouted by Coach Lassonde. He came out to about six more games of mine over the next two months before I came to Dartmouth for a day trip and fell in love. I committed a week later.

Any pre-game meals or rituals you have to have?
The number of pre-game rituals I have is probably somewhere around 50. When it comes to pre-game food, though, I go for spaghetti Alfredo and a nice Caesar salad.