Clarke completes loan to Slovakia

Brandt Clarke, the top-ranked prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft, has landed in Europe.

Clarke, whose loan to HC Nove Zamky of Slovakia was announced Boxing Day, made his debut for the club on Monday. He is joined in Slovakia by brother and New Jersey Devils prospect Graeme Clarke.

“I was getting adjusted to the speed and size of the guys,” Brandt told Slovak journalist Matej Deraj. “I didn’t feel great in the first, but I feel like consistently got better and had a strong game.”

The 17-year-old previously had a loan to Vasby IK of Hockey Allsvenskan fall through because of a league rule relating to his contract with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

Clarke topped FCHockey’s preliminary ranking for the 2021 draft in December.

He had 38 points (six goals, 32 assists) in 57 games with the Colts in 2019-20.