Anatomy of a Trade: Avery, Marek and Marc-Andre Cliche – Part II

[Carla Muller]

As promised on Monday, time for Part II and the real asset in the Avery trade, Marc-Andre Cliche. His potential is currently pegged as a third line “C” prospect by Hockeys’ Futures.

“Cliche is a slightly built forward that plays bigger than his frame. A solid leader and adept at the intangibles, Cliche is a type of player that is often looked over but contributes mightily to the success of his team. A good play-maker and solid skater, Cliche may develop into one of the better two-way forward prospects. . . . (He) likely will spend the entire season in Manchester, but should begin to see time in Los Angeles within the next year or two. Very comparable to Eric Belanger, but not as quick.”

Hockeys’ Future On Cliche

The SIHL's Iceman listed him among their Top 20 Prospects where Cliche is at #10 and Oscar Moller is at #12:

“Cliche has just finished his junior career as well, a year where he participated in the successful win of the junior hockey championships (U-20). He will now try to adapt his game of speed and puck pursuit to the minor pro league. Cliche also has untapped offensive potential that he could develop while adapting his game.”

SIHL’s Top 20

What some may not know is that he was a teammate of Kings’ prospected savior, Jonathan Bernier, and captained the Lewiston Maineacs while there. After a bad game where the team other than Bernier took the night off, Cliche was one of the guys who stepped up to turn things around:

"Marc-Andre Cliche and Marc-Andre Daneau came to me (Lewiston's Coach) and said, 'Clem, we played a bad game last night . . . . . (After the meeting with Cliche and Daneau) the (players) went on the ice, and were back to business. ... "Everybody was more serious (Thursday) morning. People were more focused," Cliche said.”

Cliche Helps Get Maineacs Back on Track

Later, Cliche helped contribute to the Canadian gold medal team at the World Juniors in Sweden. His supporting role on the PK, a known Kings’ weakness, made a difference:

“…if winning teams usually go as far as their top players want to in the tournament, they also need the contribution of supporting players. In Leksand, Sweden, one of the reasons that Canada won the gold was its efficiency in killing penalties. . . .at a remarkable efficiency of 92 percent. Darren Helm (DET) and Marc-André Cliche (NYR) were part of the first PK unit for Canada.

"I’m proud to have contributed to the success of the team,” commented Cliche “I was aware that it is very important for the team to be successful in these situations to reach our goal here."

"Marc-Andre made an outstanding job for the team,” commented Team Canada Head Coach Craig Hartsburg after the final game in Leksand. “His work ethic was great, he has been really good on the penalty-killing unit; he played for the team, not for himself."

Cliche’s Canada’s Unsung Hero

The last person to weigh in on Marc-Andre Cliche is the AHL Monarchs’ coach, Mark Morris, who gave a player evaluation to the Daily News:
He's a key penalty killer and we just got better in that area when he returned to the lineup."

"His defensive game is pretty sound. His reaction time is improving. He is a strong guy on the face-offs, and he also is good at positioning himself to block passing lanes. He is a real character guy who is willing to do what it takes, especially in responsible roles, the kind that most guys aren't willing to pay a price for, he is willing to do it. He'll block shots and take a hit to make a play. He is accountable."

He surprises us with his speed sometimes, when goes after a loose puck. He finds a way to get there. He won't wow you at first glance with his speed, but he is a strong kid and I think his desire is going to negate any shortcomings he may have."

Coach Morris on Cliche

Bottom Line

Aside from the obvious NHL level talent component required, it is also about team work and relationships. Often, that elusive chemistry component proves to be just as critical once talent is otherwise equal. It therefore has to bode well that he spent time as a teammate of Bernier's in Lewiston. Further, it is pretty well established that the Kings' biggest weakness now is truly their defensive play and goals' against. Having a prospect that excels in this area is a pretty great asset to get out of the Avery debacle.

Even if Cliche proves to be no better than his projected third line defensive player, ….. that isn’t half bad considering the Kings gained back the room merely by Avery’s absence. Also, anyone who thinks Avery’s trade left the Kings wanting for toughness misses the point. Any player who is universally despised by his teammates has to go … even if only for a bag of pucks. Getting a strong defensive forward who specializes on the PK is a pretty great perk.

Carla Muller

Carla.hockeygal@att.net

[Hipcheck]

Nice Work Carla....sounds like Cliche might be a future version of Kris Draper.

[puckplayer]

I still miss Avery W.W.A.D.

[khanon81]

22 fights. Here's what they had beyond tough guy Raitis Ivanans: .... .... crickets? ... ... Kind of like Minnesota last year except the Kings were so bad, no one seemed to care enough to run them. If they improve one of these years, they better beef up a bit.

[BullHerman]

Hope lesson learned is not to get these guys after too many concussions & such.

There was so much expected of them. But they did contribute. More than can be said for former Kings (Sydor) who crapped out here but did better elsewhere. Any of you think Cammilaria will do any better on the Northern Prairies?

And, Carla, you do a great job. Thanks for breaking things down. This place is what it is thanks to those like rinkrat & you. We need info.

[KINGSFAN1]

He is going to be great for us