Clarence Kparghai

Clarence Kparghai (born 13 May 1985 in Monrovia, Liberia) is a Liberian-born Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was most recently contracted with HC Lugano in the National League (NL). He has previously played for SC Langenthal, EHC Chur, HC Thurgau, EHC Olten, HC Davos and EHC Biel.

Playing career Kparghai made his professional debut with SC Langenthal in the Swiss League (SL) during the 2004-05 SL season. He then made his National League (NL) debut during the 2005-06 NL season with HC Davos, playing 24 games that season.

Kparghai officially joined EHC Biel for the 2008-09 NL season and eventually played five years with the team, establishing himself as a National League player.

On 26 November 2012, Kparghai agreed to a three-year contract with HC Lugano for the 2013-14 NL season.

During the 2012–13 season, Kparghai was fined CHF 1,000 for biting SC Bern's John Tavares on 22 December 2012.

On 5 November 2015, Kparghai was signed to a three-year contract extension by Lugano. During the 2016 NL final against SC Bern, Kparghai tore his ACL, ending his season. He underwent surgery in the following days and once again in September because of complications, forcing him to sit out the entire 2016-17 NL season. He was able to resume hockey activities in July 2017.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2004–05 SC Langenthal NLB 24 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2005–06 HC Davos NLA 24 0 0 0 8 — — — — — 2005–06 EHC Chur NLB 18 2 4 6 32 — — — — — 2006–07 HC Davos NLA 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2006–07 HC Thurgau NLB 30 3 11 14 32 — — — — — 2006–07 EHC Biel NLB 2 0 1 1 0 16 0 1 1 12 2007–08 EHC Olten NLB 39 9 9 18 42 — — — — — 2007–08 EHC Biel NLB — — — — — 5 0 0 0 4 2008–09 EHC Biel NLA 50 0 1 1 28 — — — — — 2009–10 EHC Biel NLA 41 0 3 3 14 — — — — — 2010–11 EHC Biel NLA 43 1 6 7 26 — — — — — 2011–12 EHC Biel NLA 49 7 6 13 22 3 0 0 0 6 2012–13 EHC Biel NLA 37 0 6 6 16 1 0 0 0 0 2013–14 HC Lugano NLA 39 2 5 7 14 5 0 0 0 6 2014–15 HC Lugano NLA 34 1 1 2 24 6 0 1 1 0 2015–16 HC Lugano NLA 50 2 5 7 16 14 0 0 0 2 2017–18 HC Lugano NL 20 1 4 5 2 — — — — — 2017–18 HCB Ticino Rockets SL 17 0 2 2 16 — — — — — 2017–18 EHC Kloten NL 7 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2018–19 HCB Ticino Rockets SL 23 3 4 7 24 — — — — — 2018–19 HC Davos NL 5 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2018–19 EHC Olten SL — — — — — 9 1 0 1 10 NL totals 401 15 38 53 176 29 0 1 1 14

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2005 Switzerland WJC 8th 6 0 1 1 10 Junior totals 6 0 1 1 10