Former National Hockey League enforcer Kyle Clifford of Ayr, Ontario has officially announced his retirement from playing professional hockey. According to Rogers Sportsnet, he is going to remain in the game. Clifford has accepted a job in the Toronto Maple Leafs player development department in 2025-26.
Who did Clifford play for?
Clifford played for three NHL franchises from 2010 to 2023. He was with the Los Angeles Kings for a decade from 2010 to 2020, three seasons with the Maple Leafs (2019-20, 2021-22, and 2022-23), and played two seasons with the St. Louis Blues (2020-21, and 2021-22). The last three NHL seasons from 2022 to 2025, Clifford has played 116 games for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.
Clifford’s career statistics
Clifford had 66 goals and 78 assists for 144 points in 753 games. The left winger was a -22 with 905 penalty minutes, one power-play point, one shorthanded point, six game-winning goals, 996 shots on goal, 42 faceoff wins, 152 blocked shots, 1617 hits, 124 takeaways, and 157 giveaways.
Clifford’s lone power-play point came on March 23, 2019 in a 4-3 Kings shootout win over the Anaheim Ducks. Clifford tied the game at one at 5:09 of the first period on the power-play from defenseman Alec Martinez of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Alex Iafallo of Eden, New York.
Clifford’s lone shorthanded point came on March 19, 2021 in a 2-1 Blues shootout win over the San Jose Sharks. Clifford set up Tyler Bozak of Regina, Saskatchewan at 6:22 of the third period to tie the game at one.
Known for his physicality
In Clifford’s first two NHL seasons, he eclipsed 100 penalty minutes. He had 141 penalty minutes in 2010-11, and 123 penalty minutes in 2011-12. Also during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Clifford led all players with 39 penalty minutes.
Two-time Stanley Cup champion
Clifford was on the Kings teams that won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. In 2012, the Kings beat the New Jersey Devils in six games. Clifford had zero points in three postseason games. In 2014, the Kings beat the New York Rangers in five games. Clifford had one goal and six assists for seven points. Clifford’s goal in the 2014 NHL postseason came in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Clifford scored from Jeff Carter of London, Ontario at 17:33 of the first period in a 3-2 Kings overtime win over the Rangers.
Working with Canadian Olympic gold medalists
Clifford will now be working with Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, and Maple Leafs Player Development Director Danielle Goyette of Saint-Nazaire, Quebec. Wickenheiser and Goyette are both in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have combined to win six gold medals for Canada at the Olympic Winter Games.
