Daniel Cleary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daniel Cleary
Cleary with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2015
Born	(1978-12-18) December 18, 1978 (age 46) Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Mora IK Detroit Red Wings
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	13th overall, 1997 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	1998–2017

Daniel Michael Cleary (born December 18, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, and Detroit Red Wings.

Cleary was a key member of the 2008 Stanley Cup winning Red Wings team. When they won, he became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to lift the famous Stanley Cup trophy. Today, he works for the Detroit Red Wings as their Director of Player Development.

Daniel Cleary's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Daniel Cleary was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada. He grew up in a town called Harbour Grace. Daniel started playing minor hockey there. At just 15 years old, he left home to play for the Kingston Voyageurs in the Metro Junior Hockey League. He scored 46 points in 41 games that season.

After his time with the Voyageurs, Daniel was picked 11th overall by the Belleville Bulls in the 1994 OHL Priority Selection. The OHL is a major junior hockey league. In his first year with the Bulls (1994-95), Cleary was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team. He also made the OHL First All-Rookie team.

In his second year with the Bulls, Daniel had an amazing season. He scored 115 points, which was second in the league. He was named to the OHL First All-Star Team. During the 1996–97 season, Cleary became the captain of the Bulls. He was drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Daniel played one more year of junior hockey in 1997–98. He led the OHL playoffs in assists and points.

Becoming a Pro Player

Daniel Cleary started his professional career soon after junior hockey. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers from the Chicago Blackhawks. He played for the Oilers for parts of four seasons. In 2003, his contract with the Oilers ended. He then signed a new contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Cleary played in Sweden. He joined Mora IK in the Elitserien. After the lockout, he was invited to the Detroit Red Wings training camp. He impressed them and signed a one-year contract on October 4, 2005. In the 2005–06 season, Cleary became a reliable player for the Red Wings. He was known as a strong defensive forward.

In the 2006–07 season, Daniel got a bigger role with the Red Wings. He scored a career-high 20 goals in 71 games. During the playoffs that year, he made history for Detroit. He scored on a penalty shot while his team was playing shorthanded (meaning they had fewer players on the ice).

Cleary during his time with the Red Wings.

Winning the Stanley Cup

In the 2007–08 season, Cleary scored 20 goals again. On February 9, 2008, he broke his jaw and missed 19 games. But he came back strong. On March 11, 2008, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings.

On June 4, 2008, Daniel Cleary achieved a huge dream. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings! They beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the finals. This made Daniel the first person from Newfoundland to ever win the Stanley Cup.

Bringing the Cup Home

On June 30, 2008, Daniel brought the Stanley Cup home to Newfoundland. A huge crowd welcomed him at the St. John's International Airport. Later that day, he visited the Janeway Children's Hospital with the Cup.

On July 1, 2008, Canada Day, Cleary brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Harbour Grace. There was a big celebration with a parade and a concert. About 27,000 people came to see the Cup! Many media members from Canada and the United States also came to cover Daniel's special story. A local band even recorded a song about him bringing the Cup home.

Later Career and Retirement

In the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cleary scored a winning goal in game seven against the Anaheim Ducks. This helped the Red Wings move on to the next round. They faced the Chicago Blackhawks and won, but then lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the finals.

In 2009, Daniel Cleary started the Danny Cleary Hockey School in Newfoundland. It became well-known, especially after famous player Henrik Zetterberg was seen wearing a hat with the school's logo.

Cleary continued to play for the Red Wings for several more seasons. He signed one-year contracts in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In the 2014–15 season, he played 17 games for the Red Wings.

On September 23, 2016, Cleary signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). During the 2016–17 season, he didn't play in any games. Instead, he worked as a player/coach. He helped mentor the younger players in the Red Wings organization. Daniel Cleary announced his retirement from playing hockey on June 13, 2017. This was after the Griffins won the Calder Cup.

Playing for Team Canada

Daniel Cleary also represented Canada in international hockey. His first time was at the 1995 U18 Tournament. He scored four goals and four assists in five games. Later, he played for the Canadian national team at the 2002 IIHF World Championship. He scored two goals and three points in that tournament.

Career Stats

International Stats

Awards and Achievements