Netminder Clint Malarchuk made over 300 appearances for three different clubs in the 1980s and '90s. His best work usually came when he split the goaltending chores with another player, but he played in over 50 games twice in his career. The native of Grande Prairie, Alberta, was a solid junior performer with the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks. He was selected 74th overall by the Quebec Nordiques at the 1981 Entry Draft and played 51 games for the Fredericton Express of the AHL. Malarchuk split the next two seasons between the minors and the NHL where he served as Daniel Bouchard's understudy. In 1982-83, his 3.11 goals against mark was the lowest in the AHL and he shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Award with teammate Brian Ford for allowing the fewest goals in the league. The emergence of Mario Gosselin cost Malarchuk his back up role in 1984-85. Rather than sulk, he led the AHL with 56 appearances and posted 26 victories for Fredericton. After Bouchard was traded in October 1985, Malarchuk formed a solid NHL duo with Gosselin. In 1985-96, he recorded a 26-12-4 mark and four shutouts and saw his playing time increase to 54 games the next year. The talented netminder was also added to the NHL roster as a spare for the 1987 Rendez-vous exhibition series versus the Soviet All-Stars.



Prior to the 1987-88 season, Malarchuk and Dale Hunter were shipped to the Washington Capitals in the deal that enabled Quebec to draft Joe Sakic. In his first year as an undisputed first stringer, he notched 24 wins in 54 appearances and tied for the NHL lead with four shutouts. His play dropped off slightly the next season and he was sent to the Buffalo Sabres prior to the March deadline. Shortly after joining his new club, Malarchuk nearly bled to death after he was accidentally cut in throat by an errant skate blade during a game against the St. Louis Blues. Prompt action by the Buffalo training staff controlled the bleeding and allowed the veteran goalie to recover and return to the line up in the post-season. During the early 1990s, Malarchuk was a solid "number two" man in Buffalo behind Daren Puppa. Beginning in 1992-93, he spent parts of five years in the minors. In 1992-93, he led the IHL with 34 wins while toiling for the Las Vegas Thunder. His solid effort earned him a share of the James Norris Memorial trophy with Rick Knickle for allowing the fewest goals in the league. Malarchuk retired after making three appearances for Las Vegas in 1996-97.