Article content

Rich Clune could have departed pro hockey on a high, having beaten personal demons, raising the Calder Cup in his hometown, no longer a 30-something in a minor league room with some kids barely out of their teens.

A growing passion for acting and film-making would seem to have much more allure than returning to the Marlies, hard-pressed to repeat as AHL champions.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Movies beckon, but Rich Clune still has role with Maple Leafs Back to video

But Clune decided long before his moment with the Calder that his unique hockey journey still had many miles to go, at least two more seasons under his new AHL deal. That’s what brought him back to the Maple Leafs practice rink in the late August heat, toiling with the NHL group, but dressing in the down market district with those whose high helmet numbers give a hint to their odds of making this year’s big club.

“It didn’t cross my mind to go out like that,” Clune said of the June celebration. “My meetings with (Marlie coach) Sheldon Keefe and (Leafs general manager) Kyle Dubas went really well. They expressed interest in having me back. Those (exact details) will stay behind closed doors, but I will say they were impressed with my work ethic and what I bring to the team.”