From the Preds:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club claimed forward Richard Clune on waivers from the Los Angeles Kings. Clune is in the first of a two-year, two-way contract that will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 at the AHL level in 2012-13, and $525,000 at the NHL level and $90,000 at the AHL level in 2013-14.
Clune, 25 (4/25/87), has seven points (2g-5a) and 98 penalty minutes in 35 games with L.A.’s primary developmental affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, in 2012-13. Since turning pro in 2006-07, the 5-10, 207-pound native of Toronto has appeared in 275 career AHL games, posting 75 points (26g-49a) and 925 penalty minutes. During the 2009-10 campaign, he played his first 14 NHL regular season games (0g-2a, 26 PIM) – and four playoff contests (0g-0a, 5 PIM) – with the Kings.
The Dallas Stars‘ third selection (71st overall, third round) in the 2005 Entry Draft split his junior career between the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting (2003-06) and Barrie Colts (2006-07), winning the 2005 Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s scholastic player of the year.
Kris at the Predatorial shares quotes from Barry Trotz & David Poile on Clune, who sounds like a banger.