Connor Clattenburg, come on down.
The Edmonton Oilers announced Friday night they recalled the rugged winger from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors ahead of Saturday night’s showdown with the Florida Panthers. The Oilers also announced they placed forward Noah Philp on the Long-Term Injured Reserve.
Saturday will mark Clattenburg’s NHL debut as the Oilers and Panthers meet for the first time since Game 6 of last year’s Stanley Cup final.
Clattenburg, 20, has appeared in 15 games for the Condors this season, his first in the pro ranks, scoring a goal and an assist while adding 59 penalty minutes — 25 of which are thanks to the five fights he’s had this season.
A pair of those came last weekend against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he dropped the gloves with Ian McKinnon and David Goyette, while laying thunderous hits all night long.
“I had the refs come up to me and told me to take a step back, but I mean, it’s all part of the game and that’s what’s going to get me to the next level,” said Clattenburg after the game.. “So if they want to toss me for doing that stuff, then go ahead. I’m going to keep playing that way. Nothing’s going to stop me.”
Evidently, Clattenburg was right, as his ascension to the NHL is a quick one. It remains to be seen if the 6’2, 205 lb. winger will stick with the team, but there’s no denying the energy he will bring to the lineup.
Philp, meanwhile, will be out of the Oilers’ lineup for at least 10 games and 24 days, with the soonest return being a Dec. 16th road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 27-year-old, in his first full season in the NHL, was shaken up in Monday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. He took a hit near the Oilers’ bench with just over a minute left in the second period, and only took one more shift.
He’s appeared in 15 games this season, scoring two goals and three points.