Garrett Clarke’s first public statement since being cut loose by the Halifax Mooseheads has led to more questions than answers.
Clarke, who the Mooseheads announced they had “removed from their roster” on Monday, issued a statement to Metro yesterday via agent Allain Roy.
“I regret to announce that I will be moving on from the Mooseheads organization into a different league for the time being,” Clarke said in the statement. “I really enjoyed my time in Halifax as well as the great fans and teammates I had there. A lot of thought has been put into this decision and it has not been easy. Thank you to the Mooseheads organization and the fans for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Halifax community for the past couple of seasons.”
Roy said it is the “one and only statement” from Clarke on the issue and did not respond to a followup inquiry requesting clarification on whether parting ways was Clarke’s choice, the Mooseheads’ choice or a mutual decision. Roy also did not mention the team or league to which Clarke is headed. Clarke, who turned 18 yesterday, had a goal and five assists and a QMJHL-leading 53 penalty minutes in 18 games and was one of the team’s top defencemen.
Mooseheads majority owner/head coach Bobby Smith did not give any indication Clarke had a say in the move when he explained what happened. Smith said Monday “it was just time” to part ways and pointed to Clarke’s lack of on-ice discipline as “part of” the problem.
The Mooseheads can’t move Clarke to another QMJHL team until the trade period opens on Dec. 19.
The United States Hockey League and Maritime Junior Hockey League are possibilities for Clarke in the meantime. But no USHL teams had filed paperwork on Clarke as of yesterday and the Amherst Ramblers, who hold Clarke’s MHL rights, have only confirmed they would welcome Clarke if he wants to play there.
