News release
24 August 2005
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals announced today that forward Tom Clayton has signed a two-year contract. He becomes the second player to sign on the dotted line for the new-look Jackals.
The agreement keeps Clayton, who is returning for his fifth year with the Jackals, in an Elmira uniform through the 2006-07 season. At 510 180 lbs, he scored 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) in 73 games for the Jackals last season. He also added 77 penalty minutes. 2004-05 was a step in the right direction in the health department for the left winger; Clayton missed the entire second half of 2003-04 after he underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder, which forced him to miss the Jackals exciting playoff run and the teams second appearance in the Colonial Cup Finals.
Ive said from the beginning that I want players who are going to work hard and pay the price every single night, said Jackals Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Perry Florio. Even with the tough year Elmira had last season, Tom was one of the guys who never let up and that speaks volumes about his character and professionalism.
Clayton, who turned 27 in March, has spent his entire professional career with the Jackals, playing 203 games and registering 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) and 344 penalty minutes. He had a very impressive playoff run in 2002-03, where he scored 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 8 games played.