Toronto Marlies sign Marc-André Cliche to AHL contract

The Toronto Marlies have acquired the services of 29-year-old forward Marc-André Cliche, signing the former Colorado man to an AHL contract.

A day after the Marlies signed Colin Smith to an AHL deal, Smith will be joined by a former San Antonio teammate in Cliche.

The pair had some success together on the same line early in the 2015-16 season but were split up before both were traded in February, with Cliche heading to the New York Islanders organization and Smith to Toronto. He will also be well know to current Marlies captain Andrew Campbell, as Cliche wore the C for the Manchester Monarchs in three straight seasons (2010-2013).

The Quebec native was drafted in the second round, 56th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2005 draft after spending his junior career with the Lewiston Maineiacs. He’s bounced from New York to Los Angeles and then to Colorado in 2013, spending two full seasons in the NHL for the Avalanche between 2013-2015.

Predominately used in a checking role, Cliche has a mere 14 points during his NHL career so far, but he’s shown that he’s able to produce at a reasonable rate in the American Hockey League. He’s put up a total of 171 points accrued at a 0.44PPG pace, with his professional highs coming in 2011-12 when the forward tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 72 games for the Manchester Monarchs.

A recall to the L.A Kings followed, but as a healthy scratch for the entire playoff run and subsequent championship, Cliche did not qualify to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

The 29-year-old is a solid, two-way centre that will give the Marlies plenty of options, but he’s more likely to be used in a bottom six role by Sheldon Keefe. Defensively responsible, he can be utilized on both special teams, although penalty killing is his forte. He’s often used in key faceoff situations even as a RW (can also play that position), with his prowess in the dot an asset should the centre be thrown out.

The Canadian forward faced Toronto while a member of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the team’s 2016 first round playoff match-up and tallied two powerplay goals in game three.

This is the first time Cliche has signed an AHL-only contract and it is much in the same mould of the Rich Clune signing, although he has more offensive upside. He could easily wear an “A” next season and brings a wealth of experience to a locker room that will no doubt feature many rookies and youngsters.

Marc-André Cliche Statistics