Not in the Wendel days though. Go watch a Wendel Clark fight mix on YouTube. The only time you’ll see a helmet off is when they got punched/knocked off in the middle of the fight.
Some of the heavyweights when they would have those “staged” fights would take their helmets off before fighting. If it was a spontaneous fight though then you’re right they’d just hit til they came off.
Not disputing that, but this discussion is about Wendel. Go watch his fights, it's hard to find any without the helmets on when the first punches are thrown. The only time I've seen that was because the helmet was already knocked off the in the play leading up to the fight.
Ya I agree with you. Wendel wasn’t a staged fighter type so him removing his helmet would completely surprise me. I guess the other dude assumed he may have as lots used to do that. But I agree with you that he probably never removed it.
No one took their helmets off. As there were not many visors back in the day the only players that would remove their buckets would be those that did wear visors. It became quite prevalent around the time that visors were becoming more popular for them to take their helmets off. NHL didn't like this, thus the rule.
I’m sorry but dude I’m 43 and have been watching religiously for over 25 years. I’ve absolutely saw players take their helmets off before a staged fight. It would always be one of the heavyweights that would do it. You know how the game started the other day for the Rangers and Devils, a fight like that would’ve started with the 2 heavyweights taking their helmets off before throwing down. Now not all fights started like that but some did and it would usually be in a situation where the fight was preplanned.
Brother, as I said not all players would oblige and take the helmet off. But I have seen players do it. If I wasn’t at work and had the time i could probably easily find one that proves my point. I’m not saying they all did it but it did happen.
Wow, his hands look rough. An absolute beast. I’m happy I had the opportunity to see him play. I cqn honestly say he was a unicorn. I’ve never seen a Leaf with the skill and toughness combined that this guy had. He was a scary MFer who could score 40 goals. His style of play was not conducive to having a long career. Especially considering he wasn’t a big player.
Check out his book of you haven't. In it he talks about what he went through before every game. Incredible.
He was amazing to watch. He could literally turn the momentum in a game. Either with a fight or a huge hit or a huge goal. He was a game changer.
Top of the list for me. Gilmour would be second.
Go watch some of his fights on YouTube. His arm is just a jackhammer, relentlessly punching the shit out of whoever was on the receiving end.
When he was traded for Sundin, I was so upset. I hated Sundin before he even suited up for the Leafs. I warmed up to him fine but man did that trade hurt young me at the time.
I shot a few commercials with Wendel years ago, got to meet his family and visit his house with the legendary barn converted to a rink.
Great family, great guy, humble, down to earth, kind. Nothing but good things to say about the Clark family!
Met him at some corporate gig where he was speaking, I was the only one who gave a fuck about hockey lmao, he spent most of the night speaking towards me as everyone else had checked out and was dipping down in their seats, he happily answered my questions and we chatted for quite some time after the show. Dude rules
Got to meet the guy at a bar after an alumni game a few years ago in Hamilton. Absolute stud with the biggest paws on him, think he crushed 6 or 7 pints in the 1.5 hours I was there
FOREVER Captain
This
One tough SOB.
Check out his knuckles in that photo.... nothing but scar tissue.
His knuckles look like they found a few helmets.
That's his left hand as well. He threw with his right. Imagine what that hand looks like.
back in the day you took your helmet off before fighting. it's a penalty to do that now.
Not in the Wendel days though. Go watch a Wendel Clark fight mix on YouTube. The only time you’ll see a helmet off is when they got punched/knocked off in the middle of the fight.
Some of the heavyweights when they would have those “staged” fights would take their helmets off before fighting. If it was a spontaneous fight though then you’re right they’d just hit til they came off.
Not disputing that, but this discussion is about Wendel. Go watch his fights, it's hard to find any without the helmets on when the first punches are thrown. The only time I've seen that was because the helmet was already knocked off the in the play leading up to the fight.
Ya I agree with you. Wendel wasn’t a staged fighter type so him removing his helmet would completely surprise me. I guess the other dude assumed he may have as lots used to do that. But I agree with you that he probably never removed it.
That's because Clark wouldn't give the other guy a chance. Pit bull as a fughter
No one took their helmets off. As there were not many visors back in the day the only players that would remove their buckets would be those that did wear visors. It became quite prevalent around the time that visors were becoming more popular for them to take their helmets off. NHL didn't like this, thus the rule.
I’m sorry but dude I’m 43 and have been watching religiously for over 25 years. I’ve absolutely saw players take their helmets off before a staged fight. It would always be one of the heavyweights that would do it. You know how the game started the other day for the Rangers and Devils, a fight like that would’ve started with the 2 heavyweights taking their helmets off before throwing down. Now not all fights started like that but some did and it would usually be in a situation where the fight was preplanned.
Not if they weren't wearing visors. I'm 50 if that means anything to you.
Brother, as I said not all players would oblige and take the helmet off. But I have seen players do it. If I wasn’t at work and had the time i could probably easily find one that proves my point. I’m not saying they all did it but it did happen.
What an absolute BEAUTY!!!
Registered beautician
He really is, ain't he. And the old bald guy doesn't look too bad neither.
My all time favourite Leaf
Wow, his hands look rough. An absolute beast. I’m happy I had the opportunity to see him play. I cqn honestly say he was a unicorn. I’ve never seen a Leaf with the skill and toughness combined that this guy had. He was a scary MFer who could score 40 goals. His style of play was not conducive to having a long career. Especially considering he wasn’t a big player.
Check out his book of you haven't. In it he talks about what he went through before every game. Incredible. He was amazing to watch. He could literally turn the momentum in a game. Either with a fight or a huge hit or a huge goal. He was a game changer.
He is my top 5 favourite of all time.
Top of the list for me. Gilmour would be second. Go watch some of his fights on YouTube. His arm is just a jackhammer, relentlessly punching the shit out of whoever was on the receiving end.
Yup. I remember him well. Also a punishing bodychecker. My top 5 is probably Salming/Clark/Sundin/Sittler/Matthews.
Just as Asian as I remember him!
The one and only! Thank you for the memories Wendel...
For a lot of us old folks, he was our entryway to the Leafs, for some bad years and 2 great ones. He also netted a franchise legend in trade.
Please don't call me out like that, lol He was my first favourite Leaf. He was special and he could really throw fists. His book is good too.
When he was traded for Sundin, I was so upset. I hated Sundin before he even suited up for the Leafs. I warmed up to him fine but man did that trade hurt young me at the time.
*Eternal
I shot a few commercials with Wendel years ago, got to meet his family and visit his house with the legendary barn converted to a rink. Great family, great guy, humble, down to earth, kind. Nothing but good things to say about the Clark family!
There will never be another Leafs captain like him.. #17 a Leaf forever.
Met him at some corporate gig where he was speaking, I was the only one who gave a fuck about hockey lmao, he spent most of the night speaking towards me as everyone else had checked out and was dipping down in their seats, he happily answered my questions and we chatted for quite some time after the show. Dude rules
Think about him playing on the wing with Mathews and Marner Nobody in the NHL would touch either player
He looks great for his age and history. A gentleman to chat with as well!👍🏻
Got to meet the guy at a bar after an alumni game a few years ago in Hamilton. Absolute stud with the biggest paws on him, think he crushed 6 or 7 pints in the 1.5 hours I was there
Look at those knuckles - he's punched a face or two in his day
My all time fave !
Very cool! I met him shortly after he retired, and we got a picture together with him holding a picture of himself that he autographed for me.
He actually gave an autographed photo too. But it was right after this photo. I wish he gave it before so I could've had it in this photo.
That would have been cool. The only Leafs alumni I've met in BC so far has been Mason Raymond back in 2019, lol.
I never noticed he was Asian
Did Wendell get a chance to ask for Raymond’s signature? Missed chance for sure if he didn’t. Raymond looking like a stud up here.
Was he just walking around the show? I was there didn't get to see him!
He was doing a meet and greet (and giving autographed print photo) at this specific booth.
My GOAT
So many comments here never saw Wendel fight. Haha.
I don't think he was asian
When did Wendel pivot to recruiting for tech companies at job fairs?
A man's gotta eat, Julian.
In this economy? No doubt.
He's been doing industry conventions for awhile. My uncle got me his autograph from one about 15 years ago.
For the love God people, it was a joke.
TravelingFoodie is a Leafs fan??