#41 Clarke MacArthur
He was drafted in the third round (74th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In his first season with the Rochester Americans, MacArthur accumulated 53 points in 69 games. He was called up by the Sabres to make his NHL debut on December 19th, 2006.
It took MacArthur four games to record his first NHL point. Not only was it rare to see him get an assist, but the goal was scored by Andrew Peters. On February 22nd, 2007, MacArthur scored his first career NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators.
“I got to Montreal on the morning of the game,” MacArthur said. “I have absolutely no clue where I’m going, or where I’m supposed to enter the building. I’m in the back of a cab, and the cabby only speaks French. I only speak English.”
It was about this time that MacArthur saw his savior.
“So we’re circling around the building, trying to figure out where I’m to go, when I see RJ (Rick Jeanneret) walking into the building. I have the cab pull over and I introduced myself to Rick and he helped me out. He’s a great guy; he carried my bags and everything.”
Based solely on his numbers this season, it was only a matter of time before MacArthur made his way West on the thruway to Buffalo. After 26 games in Rochester, MacArthur compiled 34 points (12g, 22a). For his efforts, he was called up to the Sabres and made his NHL debut on December 19th in Buffalo against the Montreal Canadiens.
“It was great playing in Buffalo,” number 41 continued. “The crowd was electric. It was great.”
Just after being recalled up from Rochester, MacArthur won the game in overtime against Boston: