1970 NHL Amateur Draft Pick
Round Overall
2 18
Bill Clement
Selected by Philadelphia from Ottawa (OHA)
Philadelphia Flyers Ottawa 67s
Bill Clement
 

6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Left-hand shot

Center

Pre-Draft Statistics

Year Team League GP G A TP PIM
1967-68 Ottawa OHA 36 6 19 25 41
1968-69 Ottawa OHA 53 18 28 46 101
1969-70 Ottawa OHA 54 19 36 55 62

Pre-Draft Notes

Ottawa captain in 1968-69 & 1969-70. ... Guy Lafleur's linemate from ages 12-15.
Canadian • Born December 20, 1950 in Buckingham, Quebec • Hometown: Thurso, Quebec

Superstar Speaker

Although Bill Clement is well known to hockey fans both as an NHL player and broadcaster, his talent for motivational speaking has also made him a popular figure in corporate circles. Beginning in 1990, in addition to broadcasting, he has carved out a highly successful career delivering speeches to top executives at some of the world's largest corporations. His sense of humor and ability to relate what he learned in hockey to larger issues in life and the workforce make him both entertaining and insightful. In 2011, Clement published a book about the topics he addresses in his speeches. The book, EveryDay Leadership, features a foreword written by Wayne Gretzky.
Visit Clement's Official Site

Video from NHL.com

ABOVE: Clement debates his fellow broadcaster Barry Melrose.

MORE CLEMENT VIDEO
2013 TED SpeechMotivational SpeakerDiscussing His Injuries
Insect Repellent Ad2013 InterviewGetting Wacky in 1987
On Winning the CupLeadership SpeechOn Trust and Respect

Career Vitals

First contract: 1970
Debut: December 11, 1971
(Philadelphia at Detroit)
Final NHL game: April 10, 1982 (playoffs)
(Calgary vs. Vancouver)
Retired: 1982
Stanley Cup: 1974, 1975
Numbers worn: 15, 10 (Philadelphia);
10 (Washington); 10 (Atlanta/Calgary)

Career NHL Statistics

Teams: Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta/Calgary
Years: 1971-1982. Playoffs: 1973-1982

Regular Season
  GP G A TP PIM
11 years 719 148 208 356 383
 
Stanley Cup Playoffs
GP G A TP PIM
10 years 50 5 3 8 26
 
Complete statistics available at NHL.com 

NHL Awards and Honors

1975-76:All-Star Game
1977-78:All-Star Game

Team Awards and Honors

CAPITALS CAPTAIN:September 1975, to Jan. 22, 1976
(with Atlanta)
1977-78:Ellmans Trophy (MVP, co-winner)

Transaction History

June 4, 1975 -- Traded by Philadelphia with Don McLean and 1975 first-round pick (Alex Forsyth) to Washington in exchange for 1975 first-round pick (Mel Bridgman). Jan. 22, 1976 -- Traded by Washington to Atlanta in exchange for Gerry Meehan, Jean Lemieux and Buffalo's 1976 first-round pick (previously acquired, Greg Carroll).

Life Outside the NHL

Full Name: William H. Clement
Nickname: "Duke"

Other Post-Draft Teams: Quebec (AHL); Richmond (AHL)

Education: Attended Carleton University and took part in NHL educational program at the University of Ottawa. His major was management science.

Career Beyond Hockey: Took up acting and modeling in first few years after retirement before going broadcasting full-time. He appeared on the soap opera All My Children in 1986.
Clement's Facebook Page
Clement's YouTube Channel

Career Highlights

Led Quebec (AHL) in points (58) and assists (39) as a pro hockey rookie in 1970-71. ... Scored a game-winning goal and added an assist in his second NHL game for Philadelphia on Dec. 12, 1971, vs. Montreal at the Spectrum. His goal against Ken Dryden in the first period stood up as the winner in a 4-1 Flyers victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions. ... Scored the final goal of the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead in its Game 6 win at Buffalo on May 27, 1975. The goal was an insurance goal at 17:13 of the third period after Bob Kelly scored the Cup-winning goal early in the period. The goal was also Clement's last with the Flyers, since he was traded just over a week later. ... Represented Washington in 1976 NHL All-Star Game at Philadelphia just two days before Washington traded him to Atlanta. On three consecutive nights in January 1975, he wore a different uniform (All-Star on Jan. 20, Washington on Jan. 21, Atlanta on Jan. 22). ... Set Atlanta/Calgary single-season record (since broken) with five shorthanded goals in 1976-77. ... Led Atlanta with three shorthanded goals in 1977-78. ... Played on first Calgary Flames team after franchise relocated from Atlanta in 1980, and appeared in the Flames' first game in Calgary sweaters on Oct. 9, 1980, vs. Quebec. ... Voted by The Hockey News readers as the NHL's best broadcaster in 1996. ... Won a Cable ACE Award  for his work with ESPN in broadcasting the 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Finals between Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Significant Injuries

Missed part of 1974 playoffs with damaged ligaments in knee, an injury suffered during Philadelphia's semifinal series vs. N.Y. Rangers. He did not return until Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals vs. Boston on May 14, 1974. ... Missed part of 1976-77 season with broken bone in left foot, an injury suffered during Atlanta's Nov. 13, 1976, game at St. Louis. He did not return until Atlanta's Dec. 8, 1976, game at Minnesota. ... Missed part of 1976-77 season with bruised collarbone, suffered during Atlanta's Jan. 16, 1977, game at Pittsburgh. He did not return until Atlanta's Jan. 31, 1977, game vs. Toronto. ... Missed part of 1977-78 season with broken right ankle, an injury suffered while blocking a shot in Atlanta's March 1, 1978, game vs. Buffalo. He did not return until Atlanta's March 21, 1978, game vs. St. Louis. ... Missed part of 1978-79 season with sprained knee, an injury suffered during Atlanta's Jan. 20, 1979, game at Detroit. He did not return until Atlanta's Feb. 23, 1979, game vs. Minnesota.

Non-Playing Career

BROADCASTING CAREER
Worked playoffs as guest announcer on USA Network during the final years of playing career. ... Became top hockey analyst and lead color commentator for ESPN broadcasts when network landed rights to show NHL games throughout U.S. in 1986 and remained in that position through 1987-88 season. ... Named Philadelphia TV color commentator prior to 1988-89 season and remained in that position through 1991-92 season, when he returned to ESPN. During this time period, he also worked on national games for SportsChannel America, which held U.S. rights to NHL broadcasts. ... Named ESPN TV color commentator for national hockey broadcasts prior to 1992-93 season and remained in that position through 1998-99 season. Added title of ESPN Radio color commentator and hockey expert prior to 1999-00 season and remained in position at ESPN through 2003-04 season. ... Named OLN (later Versus) studio
analyst prior to 2005-06 season and held position through 2006-07 season. ... Named Philadelphia TV studio host prior to 2007-08 season and held position through 2012-13 season. During this time, he also hosted a sports-talk radio show in Philadelphia area. In addition, he worked as an NHL Network studio analyst from 2010 to 2013 with a daily role in the Stanley Cup playoff coverage. ... Named Philadelphia TV color commentator prior to 2013-14 season and currently holds this position.

INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST WORK
Began his work on international hockey as the TV hockey analyst for U.S. coverage of 1991 Canada Cup tournament. ... Has worked as a studio analyst or color commentator for U.S. broadcasts of hockey games at three Winter Olympics (1992, 2002, 2006). ... Did broadcasts of various other Olympic sports for NBC at 2004 and 2008 Summer Games.

Miscellaneous:

Selected by Chicago Cougars in 1972 WHA Draft, the first-ever WHA Draft, in February 1972. Selected by Chicago Cougars in 1973 WHA draft of established professional players. Played in the QJHL with the Sorel Black Hawks before entering major-junior in 1967. Known throughout his NHL career for oustanding ability to kill penalties and win faceoffs.
Played on line with Michel Parizeau and Dick Sarrazin for Philadelphia in 1971-72. Paired on penalty-killing unit with Tim Ecclestone for Atlanta in 1976-77. Scored hat trick for Atlanta on March 12, 1977, vs. N.Y. Rangers goalie John Davidson. Played on line with Harold Phillipoff and John Gould for Atlanta in 1977-78.
Was member of Atlanta Flames when team relocated to Calgary on June 24, 1980. Was part-owner of a hockey school in Philadelphia during his playing days. Was the owner of a restaurant that he helped run in off-seasons of his playing days. Named president of Flyers Alumni Association in 1989 and led organization in early 1990s.
Worked for ESPN in 1999 Cup Finals series that ended with controversial goal by Brett Hull. Has helped launch several companies, including a spice manufacturing business. Has done the color commentary work for multiple editions of EA Sports' NHL video games. Has appeared as a voice-over or on-camera spokesman in hundreds of TV commercials.
SNAPSHOT '70
Total Selected: 115
Forwards: 67
Defense: 36
Goaltenders: 12
Major Junior: 87
College Players: 18
Canadian: 109
Euro-Canadian: 0
American: 6
European: 0
Reached NHL: 62
Won Stanley Cup: 12
Hall of Fame: 3
All-Star Game: 11
Year-end All-Star: 4
Olympians: 2
Picks Traded: 13


OTHERS DRAFTED IN 1970

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