Grant Clitsome

Grant Clitsome (born April 14, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2008 to 2016.

Playing career Clitsome was drafted in the ninth round, 271st overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He then committed to a four-year collegiate career with Clarkson University of the ECAC.

Clitsome made his NHL debut on March 2, 2010, providing two assists for the Blue Jackets and winning the game's third star in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks while on emergency call-up. His first NHL goal was scored on March 27, 2010 against Dwayne Roloson of the New York Islanders. On July 22, 2010, Grant re-signed as a restricted free agent with the Blue Jackets to a one-year contract.

On February 27, 2012, Clitsome was claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets and later signed a three-year contract extension with the team on January 2, 2013. A serious injury in 2014 forced Clitsome to undergo back surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Clitsome did not play again following the surgery, missing the remainder of the 2014-15 season and the entire 2015-16 season. He announced his retirement from professional hockey on June 1, 2016.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2001–02 Nepean Raiders CJHL 43 1 6 7 20 1 0 0 0 2002–03 Nepean Raiders CJHL 54 4 12 16 46 17 5 10 15 18 2003–04 Nepean Raiders CJHL 55 13 26 39 67 17 1 10 11 6 2004–05 Clarkson University ECAC 39 2 11 13 36 — — — — — 2005–06 Clarkson University ECAC 34 2 17 19 20 — — — — — 2006–07 Clarkson University ECAC 38 7 12 19 38 — — — — — 2007–08 Clarkson University ECAC 39 5 17 22 28 — — — — — 2007–08 Syracuse Crunch AHL — — — — — 1 0 0 0 0 2008–09 Syracuse Crunch AHL 73 4 15 19 74 — — — — — 2009–10 Syracuse Crunch AHL 64 5 15 20 42 — — — — — 2009–10 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 11 1 2 3 6 — — — — — 2010–11 Springfield Falcons AHL 32 5 10 15 22 — — — — — 2010–11 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 31 4 15 19 16 — — — — — 2011–12 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 51 4 10 14 24 — — — — — 2011–12 Winnipeg Jets NHL 12 0 3 3 8 — — — — — 2012–13 Winnipeg Jets NHL 44 4 12 16 18 — — — — — 2013–14 Winnipeg Jets NHL 32 2 10 12 18 — — — — — 2014–15 Winnipeg Jets NHL 24 0 4 4 8 — — — — — NHL totals 205 15 56 71 98 — — — — —

Awards and honours Award Year CJHL 2nd team All-star 2004 National Junior A Championship - Most Sportsmanlike Player 2004 All-ECAC Hockey First Team 2008 ECAC Hockey All Academic Team 2008 NCAA East Regional Team 2008 AHCA East Second-Team All-American 2007-08