Daniel Cleary

Daniel Michael Cleary (born December 18, 1978) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). On June 4, 2008, Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to get his name on the Stanley Cup when the Red Wings won hockey's top prize. Cleary was drafted thirteenth-overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Youth

Cleary was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland, the location of the area's only hospital, and was raised in Harbour Grace, in a section of the town called Riverhead. After playing minor hockey in his home area of Harbour Grace, Cleary left home at age 15 to play for the Kingston (ON) Voyageurs of the Metro Junior Hockey League (OHA). He scored 46 points in 41 games with the V's that season and subsequently was selected eleventh-overall in the 1994 OHL Priority Selection by the Belleville Bulls.

Cleary spent his junior career playing with the Belleville Bulls of the OHL. After his rookie season (in 1994/1995), Cleary was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and to the OHL First All-Rookie team. During Cleary's second year with the Bulls, he was second in the league in points with 115 and was named to the OHL First All-Star Team and the CHL Second All-Star Team. During the 1996-1997 season, Cleary served as captain of the Bulls. While his offensive production dropped off from the previous will, he was nevertheless named to the OHL First All-Star Team and was drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL entry draft. Cleary would play his final year of major junior hockey during 1997-1998, leading the OHL playoffs with the most assists (17) and points (23).