{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Cliff Pu | image = {{CSS image crop |Image=Cliff Pu - London Knights.jpg |bSize=800 |cWidth=230 |cHeight=400 |oTop=0 |oLeft=500 |Location=center}} | image_size = 230px | caption = Pu with the London Knights in 2016 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|6|3}} | birth_place = North York, Ontario, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 192 | position = Centre | shoots = Right | league = EIHL | team = Sheffield Steelers | prospect_team = | prospect_league = | former_teams = Charlotte Checkers<br>Springfield Thunderbirds<br>Cleveland Monsters<br>Kunlun Red Star<br>Admiral Vladivostok<br>HK Dukla Michalovce<br>HC La Chaux-de-Fonds | draft = 69th overall | draft_year = 2016 | draft_team = Buffalo Sabres | career_start = 2018 }} '''Clifford Pu''' (born June 3, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who most recently played for Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He was selected 69th overall in the 2016 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/roster/show/id/24202|title=OHL Network|website=www.ontariohockeyleague.com|access-date=2016-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310081500/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/roster/show/id/24202|archive-date=2016-03-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Playing career==

===Youth=== Pu played at the AAA hockey level since the Atom age group. He was named an International Silverstick Atom AAA All Star in 2009. In his final year of minor ice hockey, he played for the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA team. He was seen as one of the top prospects in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection after finishing 4th on his team in points.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cliff Pu|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=245616|website=Elite Prospects|accessdate=10 March 2016}}</ref>

===Junior=== Pu was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection by the Oshawa Generals.<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 OHL Priority Selection |url=https://chl.ca/ohl/draft/ohl/2014/ |website=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327102950/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/draft/fullDraft/2014 |archive-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/roster/show/id/24202|title=OHL Network|website=www.ontariohockeyleague.com|access-date=2016-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310081500/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/roster/show/id/24202|archive-date=2016-03-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> He appeared in 17 games with the Generals, scoring two goals and adding an assist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://londonknights.com/roster/bio/243558|title=London Knights|website=londonknights.com|access-date=2016-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311065600/http://londonknights.com/roster/bio/243558|archive-date=2016-03-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 1, 2015, Pu was traded to the London Knights along with Josh Sterk and three draft picks, in exchange for Michael McCarron and Dakota Mermis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.am980.ca/2015/01/01/knights-trade-mccarron-and-mermis-to-oshawa/|title=Knights Trade McCarron and Mermis to Oshawa |access-date=2016-03-10}}</ref> In the 24 games he appeared in for the Knights following the trade, Pu scored four goals and added two assists.

In his first full season with the Knights, Pu recorded 12 goals and 19 assists. In the following season, he greatly improved on his totals, leading the Knights in regular season scoring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonknights.com/roster/bio/243558|title=London Knights|website=londonknights.com|access-date=2016-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311065600/http://londonknights.com/roster/bio/243558|archive-date=2016-03-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 3, 2018, the Knights traded Pu to the Kingston Frontenacs for Nathan Dunkley and draft picks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lfpress.com/2018/01/03/london-knights-trade-cliff-pu-to-kingston-frontenacs|title=London Knights trade Cliff Pu to Kingston Frontenacs|website=lfpress.ca|access-date=2018-01-03|date=2018-01-03}}</ref>

===Professional=== In 2016, Pu became eligible for the 2016 NHL entry draft. He was the 83rd ranked North American skater by the NHL's Scouting Service.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016 Draft Prospect Rankings|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=1&sort=midtermRank&year=2016&pg=2|website=www.nhl.com|accessdate=October 24, 2017}}</ref> He was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres. On October 23, 2017, Pu signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sabres sign Pu to entry-level contract|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-sign-pu-to-entry-level-contract/c-292201230|website=NHL.com|accessdate=October 24, 2017|date=October 23, 2017}}</ref>

Pu was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on August 2, 2018, along with future draft picks (2019 second-round, and 2020 third-round and a sixth-round) in exchange for forward Jeff Skinner.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Canes Deal Skinner to Sabres for Picks, Prospect |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-deal-jeff-skinner-to-sabres-for-picks-prospect/c-299657892 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=August 2, 2018 |date=August 2, 2018}}</ref>

After attending the Hurricanes' 2018 training camp, Pu was assigned to begin the 2018–19 season, with Carolina's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He struggled to translate his offensive game to the professional level and was reassigned to the ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, on February 9, 2019. After scoring at a point-per-game through five appearances with the Everblades, Pu was returned to the AHL. Having contributed with one goal and five assists for six points in 44 games with Charlotte, Pu was traded by the Hurricanes to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations, which correlated with the Checkers' acquisition of Tomáš Jurčo, on February 25, 2019.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-acquire-forward-cliff-pu-from-carolina-hurricanes/c-305200686 | title = Florida Panthers acquire Forward Cliff Pu from Hurricanes | publisher = Florida Panthers | date = February 25, 2019 | accessdate = February 25, 2019}}</ref>

On October 8, 2020, Pu was traded for the third time during his entry-level contract by the Panthers to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Markus Nutivaara.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-acquire-rw-cliff-pu-from-florida-in-exchange-for-markus-nutivaara/c-319388862 | title = CBJ acquire Cliff Pu from Florida in exchange for Markus Nutivaara | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = October 8, 2020 | accessdate = October 8, 2020}}</ref>

With his contract concluding with the Blue Jackets, Pu was not tendered a qualifying offer and became a free agent. On August 13, 2021, with limited opportunities in North America, he embarked on a European career, agreeing to a one-year contract with Austrian club, the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.vienna-capitals.at/newsdetails/items/ServasCliff.html | title = Cliff Pu signs with Capitals | publisher = Vienna Capitals | date = August 13, 2021 | accessdate = August 13, 2021 | language = German}}</ref>

On June 20, 2024, Slovak Extraliga team HK Dukla Michalovce announced that Pu had been signed to a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/former-sabres-draft-pick-cliff-pu-leaves-khl-for-slovakia | title = Former Sabres draft pick Cliff Pu leaves KHL for Slovakia | publisher = The Hockey News | date = June 20, 2024 | accessdate = June 20, 2024 }}</ref> After just 7 games with the team, Pu was released on October 10th, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=V siedmich zápasoch skóroval len raz. Michalovce sa rozlúčili s kanadským útočníkom |url=https://sportnet.sme.sk/spravy/hokej-cliff-pu-skoncil-v-hk-dukla-michalovce-tipos-extraliga-2024-2025/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=sportnet.sme.sk |language=sk}}</ref> On December 12, 2024, he signed with HC La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Swiss League until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Un renfort canadien pour le HCC en fin de saison |website=Hockey Club La Chaux-de-Fonds |date=2024-12-13 |url=https://www.hccnet.ch/un-renfort-canadien-pour-le-hcc-en-fin-de-saison/ |language=fr |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref>

On July 10, 2025, Pu signed a one-year contract with the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cliff Pu Signs for the Steelers |website=Sheffield Steelers |date=2025-07-09 |url=https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/cliff-pu-signs-for-the-steelers/ |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> However, on December 13th, 2025, Pu was released after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement: Cliff Pu – Sheffield Steelers |url=https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/statement-cliff-pu/ |access-date=December 14, 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Ice hockey player sacked after admitting assault |URL= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c989kp21p0po |access-date=December 17, 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Personal life== Pu was born in North York, Ontario and was raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Pu has since been arrested for domestic violence, and has pled guilty to two charges of assault by beating on 15 December 2025. His sentencing took place in February 2026, and he received a fine of £1335.

==Career statistics==

===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2012–13 | Toronto Marlboros | GTMMHL |33 |23 |24 |47 |10 |16 |4 |13 |17 |4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 |Oshawa Generals | OHL |17 |2 |1 |3 |2 |— |— |— |— |— |- | 2014–15 |London Knights | OHL |24 |2 |4 |6 |2 |5 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015–16 |London Knights |OHL |63 |12 |19 |31 |24 |18 |8 |5 |13 |6 |- | 2016–17 |London Knights |OHL |63 |35 |51 |86 |36 |14 |2 |5 |7 |8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 |London Knights |OHL |36 |16 |29 |45 |22 |— |— |— |— |— |- | 2017–18 |Kingston Frontenacs |OHL |29 |13 |26 |39 |6 |15 |4 |13 |17 |6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 44 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2018–19 | Florida Everblades | ECHL |5 |2 |3 |5 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL |9 |1 |1 |2 |0 |— |— |— |— |— |- | 2019–20 | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Greenville Swamp Rabbits | ECHL | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2020–21 | Cleveland Monsters | AHL | 16 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | Kunlun Red Star | KHL | 15 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2022–23 | Kunlun Red Star | KHL | 41 | 11 | 9 | 20 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Kunlun Red Star | KHL | 29 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2023–24 | Admiral Vladivostok | KHL | 24 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2024–25 |HK Dukla Michalovce |Slovak |7 |1 |2 |3 |2 |— |— |— |— |— |- |2024–25 |HC La Chaux-de-Fonds |SL |13 |3 |9 |12 |8 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | AHL totals ! 79 ! 5 ! 15 ! 20 ! 20 ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | KHL totals ! 109 ! 16 ! 25 ! 41 ! 58 ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — |}

===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2014 | Canada Black | U17 | 7th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 5 ! 1 ! 0 ! 1 ! 2 |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}} * {{OHL profile|6755|Cliff Pu}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pu, Cliff}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:Admiral Vladivostok players Category:Buffalo Sabres draft picks Category:Canadian ice hockey centres Category:Canadian sportspeople of Chinese descent Category:Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players Category:Cleveland Monsters players Category:Florida Everblades players Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Greenville Swamp Rabbits players Category:HC Kunlun Red Star players Category:Ice hockey people from North York Category:Kingston Frontenacs players Category:London Knights players Category:Oshawa Generals players Category:Springfield Thunderbirds players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen Category:Sheffield Steelers players