Clendening, 31, left North America ahead of the 2023-24 campaign after spending parts of 11 seasons between the National Hockey League and American Hockey League. He signed a one-year contract with Ilves in Finland's top division, Liiga, where he had 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists), 41 penalty minutes and was a plus-nine in 40 games. He also had three assists in five playoff games.
During the 2014-15 season, Clendening was traded to the Canucks by the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensive prospect Gustav Forsling, who is now playing some great hockey for the Florida Panthers. He appeared in 17 games for the Canucks, putting up two assists, eight penalty minutes and was a plus-one.
Nearly six months later, Clendening's time with the Canucks came to an end as he was apart of a big deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw Vancouver acquire Brandon Sutter and a conditional third round pick that they used to select Will Lockwood.
