Tom Clark has been around the game of Hockey his entire life.

The Sarnia, Ontario native started playing in the Central Ontario Junior Hockey League (COJHL) as a 17-year-old. His journey would ultimately include seven different teams in five leagues as he worked his way up the ladder to playing professional hockey.

Clark’s final stop of his playing career was in the International Hockey League (IHL) where he helped lead the Port Huron Flags to glory. During his stint with the Flags, Tom was a member of the 1965 team that won the Turner cup, emblematic of the Championship of the IHL and the equivalent of the NHL’s Stanley Cup.

After Clark’s playing career was done, he decided to pick up coaching. He became the first coach for the SC4 hockey program and found the same success he had as a player, leading the Skippers from 1974-1978. Clark coached the team to NJCAA national tournament appearances in 1976 and 1978. Along with the team success, Tom found and trained talented individuals, coaching three NJCAA All-Americans during his time at SC4.

“I enjoyed playing for Tom Clark,” Former Skipper hockey star Jerry Moses said. “He was an excellent coach, probably the best coach I ever had.”

In 1994, Tom was the recipient of the The Wildfred C. Molloy Award by the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame, an honor that pays tribute to someone who has made significant contributions to the Port Huron sports environment.

Outside of the success on the ice, Tom was looking to provide a top-notch experience for every one of his players. His daughter Christine recalls the 1976 season when Clark chartered a plane and flew the team to Sweden for two weeks to get some games against International competition. He was always committed to putting the Skippers on the map. His leadership made the SC4 team a force to reckon with in the hockey world!

Clark lives with his daughter Christine. They spend winters in Canada and summers enjoying the Port Huron area.