Scott Clemmensen

Scott Clemmensen (born July 23, 1977) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Clemmensen was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 8th round, 215th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft after playing junior hockey with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Upon being drafted, Clemmensen went on to play college hockey with the Boston College Eagles from 1997–2001, and won the NCAA National Championship with them in his final year.

Turning pro in the 2001–02 season, Clemmensen debuted in 2 games for the Devils, while playing the majority of his professional rookie season with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Devils' minor league affiliate. He remained for the following three seasons in Albany, competing with fellow Devils' goaltending prospect Ari Ahonen for starts. In 2003–04, Clemmensen was called up and appeared in 4 games for the Devils, posting a 1.01 goals against average (GAA). He received his first NHL start against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 20, 2004, pitching a shutout in a 3–0 win.

Following the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Clemmensen became Martin Brodeur's permanent backup, appearing in 13 games (starting in 9) and posting a 3.35 GAA for the 2005–06 season. The following year, Clemmensen appeared in 6 games in relief of Brodeur, recording a 3.14 GAA. In the off-season, he became a free agent and after the Devils signed Kevin Weekes to backup Brodeur, Clemmensen signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in July 6, 2007. He played the majority of the 2007–08 season splitting starts with Maple Leafs Justin Pogge with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, while appearing in 3 games for the Maple Leafs. He made his first start with the Maple Leafs on January 1, 2008, in lieu of an injury to starter Vesa Toskala, and recorded a 4–3 shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Going into the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs back with the Marlies, Clemmensen assumed the starting role over Pogge and helped the club to the Western Conference semi-finals against the Chicago Wolves, where they were eliminated in five games.

On July 10, 2008, Clemmensen returned to the New Jersey Devils, signing a one-year contract. He started the 2008–09 season with New Jersey's new AHL affiliate, the Lowell Devils. However, when Brodeur suffered a major injury early in the season, Clemmensen was called up to backup second-string goalie Kevin Weekes. However, as Weekes struggled in his early starts following Brodeur's injury, Clemmensen took over and started the majority of the games in Brodeur's absence. On February 25, 2009, Brodeur was taken off the injured reserve and Clemmensen was sent back to the Lowell Devils. In 40 games, Clemmensen posted a 25-13-1 record and two shutouts. His 25 wins are the highest total by a goaltender besides Brodeur in franchise history, while his 2.39 GAA and .917 save percentage were statistically in the league's top ten. He was awarded the Devils' Unsung Hero Award, as voted by his teammates, and was also selected as the Devils' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded for perseverance and sportmanship. He was not, however, retained as one of the league's three finalists. In April 2009, Clemmensen was called up to backup Brodeur for the 2009 playoffs after an injury to Weekes.

Clemmensen signed with Florida Panthers on July 1,2009.

International play
On May 1, 2009, Clemmensen was selected to represent Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Championships as the starting goalie.

Awards

 * Won the New Jersey Devils' Unsung Hero Award in 2009.