Cole Clayton

Cole Clayton (born February 29, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career Junior Clayton played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Medicine Hat Tigers, appearing in 214 games from 2017 to 2021. In his final campaign during the shortened, Clayton served as an alternate captain and led all WHL defensemen in scoring, recording 9 goals and 30 points in just 23 games.

Professional Undrafted into the NHL, Clayton turned professional ahead of the 2021–22 season. He spent the first four years of his professional career within the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, playing exclusively for their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. During the 2024–25 season, Clayton recorded 5 goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 63 games, and was honored as Cleveland's team winner for the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his community contributions.

On July 1, 2025, Clayton signed a one-year, two-way contract as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks. He began the 2025–26 season with San Jose's AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, tallying 5 points in 33 games.

Personal life Growing up in Strathmore, Alberta, Clayton was a multi-sport athlete. Throughout his high school years, he regularly participated in rodeo events and played rugby during the hockey off-seasons.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2015–16 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 4 0 1 1 4 — — — — — 2016–17 Fort McMurray Oil Barons AJHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2017–18 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 56 2 5 7 25 6 1 1 2 12 2018–19 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 68 4 16 20 51 6 0 0 0 0 2019–20 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 63 2 28 30 27 — — — — — 2020–21 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 23 9 21 30 22 — — — — — 2021–22 Cleveland Monsters AHL 55 2 14 16 30 — — — — — 2022–23 Cleveland Monsters AHL 47 4 6 10 43 — — — — — 2023–24 Cleveland Monsters AHL 59 5 15 20 31 8 1 0 1 0 2024–25 Cleveland Monsters AHL 63 1 14 15 37 6 0 0 0 12 2025–26 San Jose Barracuda AHL 33 2 3 5 21 — — — — — 2025–26 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 32 0 6 6 27 — — — — —AHL totals 289 14 58 72 189 14 1 0 1 12