Amarillo goalie Clafton makes NCAA DI commitment

The Amarillo Wranglers of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that goaltender Carter Clafton has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the Air Force Academy in Atlantic Hockey.

Clafton, 20, is currently in his third and final season of playing junior hockey in the NAHL. The 6’2/175 lbs. native of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has appeared in nine games so far during the 2022-23 season and posted a 3-4-1 record with a 2.54 goals against average and .913 save percentage

“I am extremely honored to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the United States Air Force Academy. I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates who have helped me along the way,” said Clafton on social media.

Clafton was named the NAHL’s Goalie of the Month earlier this season for September. During the month he posted a 3-0-0 record, allowing just three goals in three games. Clafton, 20, stopped 71 of 74 shots during the month, which was good for a 1.00 goals against average and .959 save percentage. 

Clafton spent the 2021-22 season between the Wranglers and the Minot Minotauros. In 37 games played, Clafton posted a 15-16-2 record between the two teams, which included a 3.13 goals against average and .916 save percentage.

Clafton’s rookie campaign was with Minot during the 2020-21 season.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list