By Tim Healey/DFP Staff
Adam Clendening’s career as a Boston University Terrier is over.
The 19-year-old defenseman signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, opting to forego his final two years at BU. The Blackhawks selected him in the second round (36th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
“My advisor and the ‘Hawks had been talking for a while, discussing things, and it ended up just being the right offer and the right time,” Clendening said.
Clendening wraps up his BU career with 59 points (nine goals, 50 assists) in 77 games over the course of two years donning scarlet and white. Clendening said he had anticipated returning to BU for his junior year – therefore adding to those totals and anchoring the Terrier defensive corps – but the Blackhawks stepped up their interest of late.
With the support of this family, Clendening decided to end his collegiate career.
“The Hawks put some pressure on me, not that it is bad pressure – it was always up to me at the end,” Clendening said. “Pressure might not be the right word. I would say more they showed interest.”
Clendening’s signing comes as a shock to those who assumed he would be back for his junior year, though he said he always just tried to go with the flow.
“It’s always a thought when you’re in school and you’re a wanted player. ‘Is the team going to sign me? Is the team going to sign me?’ You never know,” Clendening said. “I wasn’t looking to be signed, I was just going along and whenever the time was right, I felt it was right, was when I was going to do it. It came maybe just a little earlier than everybody expected.”
Since Clendening was drafted last June rumors surfaced that his father, Frank, was pushing him to go pro. But when it came down to it, according to Adam, that was not necessarily the case.
“At the end of the day, believe it or not, my dad. . . . He watches a lot of hockey, and he was actually kind of wanting me to come back for my third year,” Clendening said. “He looks at guys like [New York Rangers defenseman] Ryan McDonagh, who have played three years, [Rangers forward] Chris Kreider, a lot of college guys that seem to do well [in the NHL] after three years.”
That said, Frank was not exactly sad to see his son go pro to make an average of $650,000 each of the next three years.
“Every father’s end goal for their son is to see them play in the NHL,” Adam said.
Although he won’t officially be done with BU until the end of June – he’s staying on campus to finish his Summer I classes – he spoke very highly of his time there.
“I’m going to miss this place like crazy. The friendships I have here, every single one of these guys, they’re like my brothers,” Clendening said. “The friendships are what make this whole experience special, especially the guys in my class.”
The Wheatfield, N.Y., native gave BU coach Jack Parker a “heads-up” before signing the paperwork – “It was just a normal conversation,” Clendening said – and acknowledged the pros and cons to coming back to BU and signing with Chicago.
But in the end, “learning the lifestyle of a pro” and playing 70 games per season outweighed the benefits of another year of college.
“It’s kind of sinking in now that I guess I can’t come back. I’ve played my last game at Agganis,” Clendening said. “The fans were great, the support was great, even through all the tough times.
“I always wanted to be a Terrier . . . and I hope that I always will be.”
Finally! I’m not sure if I’m happier to see him or his father go. What an egotistical family. For them it was all about the name on the back of the jersey. I watched him play for two seasons and know he was overrated. Yes he put points up. Who wouldn’t given his boatload of ice time? He was also a defensive liability. Gonna be a rude awakening for him in the pros. Ta ta!!!
Remember when he didn’t make a single effort on the open net goal? No other context necessary, everybody remembers it.
Good riddance.
Yes, I do recall the open net play. I was sitting about 20 feet away. One of the more perplexing things I’ve ever seen.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? Getting your name on an NHL jersey? Millions try, few succeed.
Probably be in AHL next year at $65K salary not $650K NHL salary.
LOL @ pissed off BU fans. No one wants to be a part of the BU program and it is in shambles now. They have no good players and Nieto will leave soon too. Bye bye Charlie Coyle, Adam Clendening, Max NiCastro and all the other actually GOOD players in the BU program. They will continue to be BC’s biatch for a long time now.
Glad Clendening got off that sinking shit before it was too late.
Anonymous above… What a complete f…ing jerk you are. Stop trolling Boston university hockey and crawl back under whatever rock you raised your numbskull head up from. Boston university hockey this season showed more grit, determination and intestinal fortitude than any program in any sport I can remember. The players stepped up and banded together. The progressed further than in several years in spite of all the obstacles dumped in front of them.
They showed their real character by perhaps overachieving and getting to the NCAA tourney regardless of how the season there ended. IMHO they guys that remained and accomplished this feat are the real BU hockey players… So go *F yourself putz!!! GO BU!
Keep in mind when you are touting making the NCAAs, they were in phenomenal position when things went south with all the rapists running around on the BU team raping girls and getting blind stinking drunk. Mathematically they were almost assured of making the NCAAs after the start they had. So it is not much of an accomplishment for giving this team credit for “banding together” and this incredible “feat” getting into the NCAAs in a sport where 16 out of the 59 programs make the tournament, a far greater percentage than almost any other D1 sport.
He has no chance of making the NHL. Adam is poor on his skates and an average college player at best. The problem with out program is that we have too many who think are God’s gift to hockey. Let’s get more hard working kids that want to restore BU hockey to the great times of the past. I think we may have a couple comning this Fall. We shall see.
Long time BU hockey fan
What kind of idiot are you. Hr has no chance of making the NHL?? He just made the NHL. Signed a 3 year contract. Can you read?
I agree, But we do have many hard working, hustle players right now. Megan, Rosen, Santana, Courtnall, Escobedo to name a few (hmmm that might be all). They are not the ones that think they are gods gift to hockey. BU could use a few more like them though.
Agreed. Clendening should have stayed and worked on his game. He is never going to play in the NHL.
Wow… it’s awesome to see all the support out there for Adam. Adam is a great hockey player and way less egotistical than your average NHL ass hole. Adam has worked very hard over the years and I am thrilled to see him finally sign. His hard work and dedication payed off, and it would be nice that if people don’t agree with it that they simply just move on. To bash him or his family is extremely immature. You don’t know him or his wonderful family, so please don’t make assumptions and make a fool out of yourself. I know Adam will go far and I wish him and his family all the best. Adam is a great guy and he deserves this!!!
Just an added note-
Congratulations to Adam Clendening on making the AHL all-star team in your rookie year.