Cal Clutterbuck may have played his final game with the New York Islanders, but he is departing with a significant accolade as the fans have voted him the recipient of the Bob Nystrom Award.
Initiated following the 1990-91 season, the Bob Nystrom Award is bestowed upon the player who best exemplifies leadership, hustle, and dedication. The first player to win this award was Brent Sutter, and since then, it has been awarded to notable Islanders players including Matt Martin, who has claimed it a record six times, with five consecutive wins from 2010 to 2016. Last year, Zach Parise was honored with this award.
Clutterbuck, at 36 years old, completed his 16th NHL season, with 11 of those seasons spent with the Islanders. Despite experiencing a decline in his performance and health in recent years, the 2023-24 season proved to be one of his best with the team. He amassed 32 points, scoring 7 goals and providing 12 assists, and notably, he played in all 82 games of the season for the first time in his career.
As a member of the Islanders’ famed “Identity Line,” Clutterbuck, alongside Matt Martin, has been a cornerstone of the team. Both players are now unrestricted free agents, signaling a potential end to their tenure on Long Island as hockey players. Over the years, Clutterbuck and Martin, the top two hitters in NHL history, have endured numerous physical sacrifices and have been pivotal to the Islanders’ successes over the past five seasons.
Even with the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team, Clutterbuck has expressed a strong desire to continue playing, ideally with the Islanders. During his locker cleanout interview, he conveyed his deep connection to the team and the community: “I’d love to play and obviously I’d love to play here. This has been home for a very long time. I put a lot into my time here and had great experiences. I will be an Islander for life.”
No matter the outcome of the upcoming free agency, Clutterbuck’s unwavering loyalty and dedication to the team have earned him the fans’ admiration and the Bob Nystrom Award. This recognition reflects not just his contributions on the ice but also his commitment to the spirit and ethos of the Islanders throughout his career.
