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| Last updated at 4:39 PM on 02/07/08 |
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Cleary makes good on promise to bring Lord Stanley's cup back to province 
KENN OLIVER
The Telegram
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| - Photos by Joe Gibbons/ The Telegram |
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Even Danny Cleary will admit that, for much of his career the prospect of hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup didn't look great.
But following a move to Detroit in the fall of 2005, those odds improved tenfold and Tuesday in Harbour Grace, Cleary was celebrated as this province's first Stanley Cup champion.
"There's nothing like winning something you love," Cleary told the close to 25,000 supporters who nearly filled St. Francis Field where the day's events were being staged, "and winning something you love when you surround yourself with smart and beautiful people, people that you love, good things happen."
Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs, co-chairman for the local celebration, called it "the most exciting day in the town" with the excitement and energy written on the faces of the thousands who lined the motorcade route from the Tilton Barrens at the west end of the community to St. Francis Field.
"He could have taken the cup to his house, had a private party. Forty-eight hours is not a long time, and he chose to do this," Coombs said.
"It's been great for the town and great for promoting the town. We would not be able to buy the coverage we're after getting. Everybody knows where it is now."
Before Cleary and company made it to the field to greet the masses, a special stop was made at S.W. Moores Arena - the same arena where Cleary honed the skills that earned him the opportunity to play tier 2 junior hockey in Kingston at 14.
There, he met and posed for photos with minor hockey teams.
Among the crowds of young hockey players was 17-year-old Stephanie Hutchings from Spaniard's Bay, a member of the C.B.N. CeeBees girls midget team.
A longtime fan, she sees Cleary as a positive role model for young athletes in the province.
"I think it's amazing that you can see someone from a small town actually live his dream of winning the cup and bringing it back home and showing everyone how he achieved his goals."
Once the motorcade made its way to the field, the clouds burst, spilling rain onto the legions of dedicated fans.
But with Cleary and the cup before them, their spirits couldn't be dampened. As Cleary and company made their way to the stage, the crowd roared in raucous approval.
Joining Cleary on stage were Coombs, former Detroit Red Wing Alex Faulkner - the only other Newfoundlander to have played in a Stanley Cup final - local MHA Jerome Kennedy, Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Clyde Jackman, and Premier Danny Williams, who noted people have been teasing him, asking him 'Danny who?' when he introduces himself.
"Today, there's only one Danny in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the name is Cleary."
Williams told the audience that Cleary "embodies the fighting spirit" of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who "do not give up."
"These values of tenacity and determination are exactly what Danny Cleary learned from his parents ... from his teachers ... that Dick Power instilled in Danny when he was coaching him here in Harbour Grace.
"When you're facing your toughest battles, you draw on your deepest strengths. When Danny Cleary stepped on the ice for Game 6 in Pittsburgh, he brought that same toughness and resilience with him."
Celebrations in Harbour Grace continued into the evening with music and entertainment with the likes of Shanneyganock and Greeley's Reel - who have recorded a second Danny Cleary-Stanley Cup themed version of their song "Come In" - topping the list of performers.
The "Bringin' It Home" celebrations began Monday when the Stanley Cup arrived at the St. John's International Airport where Cleary, accompanied by family and close friends, held the cup high above his head for the close to 400 fans who blocked the airport's lobby to catch a glimpse of Cleary and hockey's most sacred prize.
Afterwards, Cleary headed for the Janeway where he met with some of the children and their families. Father to toddler Elle with wife Jelena, Cleary said the Janeway was the "highlight of the whole trip" for him.
"It's a great day in Newfoundland sports history and I'm very grateful to be part of it," Cleary said. "I'm really proud to bring the Cup home."
Cleary will accompany the Stanley Cup to California today where he'll hand it off to teammate and training partner, the NHL's elder statesman, Chris Chelios.
koliver@thetelegram.com
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02/07/08
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Harold St. Croix from Toronto, Ontraio writes: Great job Danny on your Stanley Cup victory for Newfoundland and Labrador who are all proud of you,keep up the good work and i wish you all the success in the future and hope that you will win another cup.
Sincerely
Harold St.Croix
Runner/actor
Toronto
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| Posted 02/07/2008 at 11:58 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Aubrey from Mount Pearl, NL writes: Thanks to Danny Cleary, on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, thousands of people had their pictures taken touching the Stanley Cup, the oldest trophy in professional sports in North America. Standing in line in the pouring rain and wind for a couple of hours was no big deal considering that, for many, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Unfortunately for my team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, I did what they haven't been able to do since 1967, ie., touch the Stanley Cup. Thanks again Danny.
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| Posted 02/07/2008 at 12:02 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Craig Osborne from Seattle, Washington writes: What a great day for Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders every where. Danny made me proud to be a Newfoundlander on Canada Day here in the U.S.A.
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| Posted 02/07/2008 at 12:44 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bonnie H from St. John's, nl writes: hey. its nice to see someone carry through with a promise, Good for you Cleary. Maybe , when you finish with the NHL you should run for Premier, you keeps your promises, thats what nl needs.
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| Posted 02/07/2008 at 6:14 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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