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| Last updated at 8:18 AM on 09/07/08 |
'An amazing day I'll never forget' 
BILL BOWMAN
The Compass
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| His arm around the world's most recognizable symbol of hockey supremacy, Stanley Cup champion Dan Cleary is seen here just after leaving the Silas Wilmot Moores Memorial Stadium, where he got his start in minor hockey. From College Lane, a wave of humanity flowed down Harvey Street washing Cleary and his entourage onto St. Francis Field where 25,000 cheering fans went Cleary/Cup crazy when he arrived. (Bill Bowman photo) |
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Less then a month after Dan Cleary helped his Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, the 29-year-old Riverhead native brought home the biggest prize in hockey last week.
In the days following the Wings' June 4 Stanley Cup victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, an air of excitement, almost as thick as fog, had been building around Harbour Grace. Cup fever was contagious, and there was no escaping it, not even for those who are not necessarily Red Wings' or even hockey fans. It reached a crescendo last Tuesday, July 1, when Cleary paraded triumphantly onto St. Francis Field, behind the school where he attended classes until he was 14. During the motorcade through the streets of Riverhead and Harbour Grace, Cleary had one arm around the world's most recognized symbol of hockey supremacy, while the other he used to wave at the thousands of fans who lined both sides of the 7.6 km route.
Twenty and thirty years from now, people will remember where they were on Canada's 141st birthday when history was made in Harbour Grace. About 25,000 of them were in the historic Conception Bay North town to witness history in the making, again. At least that's one of the estimates of the numbers. Without aerial photographs and counting them, perhaps one guess is as good as another. But whatever the actual numbers were, suffice it to say nobody has seen anything like it (crowds) in Harbour Grace, or anywhere else in C.B.N. for that matter, in their lifetime.
Looking back on the big day's events the following day, Cleary told The Compass "yesterday was an amazing experience, something I will never forget."
Having seen thousands of faces all along the parade route, during a brief stop at the Silas Wilmot Moores Memorial Stadium, where Cleary got his start at the minor hockey level, and especially at St. Francis Field, Cleary said: "Seeing the kids' faces light up is what it's all about."
While it has already been widely reported Cleary has his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, technically that has not happened just yet. Cleary explained during his remarks from the stage to the crowd that his name will be added to the cup in September.
"It was a great day for Harbour Grace and Newfoundland hockey history, and I'm proud to be part of it," Cleary told The Compass the day after the "Bringin' It Home" celebrations, and just before he departed for California, where he will help team mate Chris Chelios celebrate the victory at his home in Manhattan Beach.
Looking out over the sea of humanity that had washed over St. Francis Field like a tidal wave, Cleary said: "There's nothing like winning something you love, and winning something you love when you surround yourself with smart and beautiful people, people that you love, good things happen."
After posing for photos with seven different minor hockey groups at the Stadium, Cleary also took time following the speeches at the Field to answer questions from individual minor hockey players.
When Premier Danny Williams was in Harbour Grace June 2 for one of the finals games, he was referring to himself as "the other Danny."
The premier continued the good-natured self-deprecation last week when he told the cheering multitudes that whenever he introduces himself to somebody now, they have to ask him, "Danny who?
"Today there's only one Danny in Newfoundland and Labrador and the name is Cleary," Williams quipped.
The premier suggested Cleary "embodies the fighting spirit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who do not give up.
"Values like 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 onto the ice for Game 6 in Pittsburgh, he brought that same toughness and resilience with him."
Remarking afterwards to the media on the crowds he had seen on the highways leading into Harbour Grace on his way there that day, Williams said, "I'm telling you this place is on fire!"
Cleary's older brother, Neil, himself a three-time Herder Memorial Trophy winner with the C.B.N. CeeBees Stars, introduced his kid brother before the Stanley Cup champion addressed the crowd.
Also joining the Clearys on stage was Alex Faulkner, the first Newfoundlander to lace up skates in the NHL. The Bishop's Falls native played for Detroit in the early 1960s, coming precariously close to bringing home the Stanley Cup 45 years ago.
But July 1 was Cleary's day. He was the "man of the hour" and nobody on that field was happier for Cleary than Alex Faulkner.
They were joined on stage by Mayor Don Coombs, the province's Tourism Minister, Clyde Jackman and Carbonear-Harbour Grace MHA Jerome Kennedy, who also brought greetings.
While the municipal and provincial levels of government were well represented, on stage, the riding's federal representative was conspicuous by his absence.
When The Compass asked Avalon MP Fabian Manning why he wasn't on stage, Manning, who took in the entire event said he had no idea, except that he was not on the province's list of on-stage guests. Apparently it was the provincial government, not the Town of Harbour Grace or the local organizing committee, which had the final call as to who was on stage and who wasn't.
"I've been in the provincial government's penalty box before," Manning quipped. He was referring to the time a few years ago when he found himself out of caucus with a 'game misconduct' for not playing by head coach Williams' rules, when he spoke out publicly against his own government's plans for the fisheries raw-materials sharing program.
However, Manning declined to comment further, saying he didn't want to take anything from the "wonderful event" in Harbour Grace. "Danny Cleary is an inspiration to us all, and I'm so glad so many came out to share in this celebration," the MP said.
The organizing committee which put together the Bringin' It Home celebration, led by Don Coombs, Joey George and Tracy Shute, were backed up by a small army of volunteers from the Harbour Grace area, who worked hard to make sure everything ran smoothly.
While the mayor had earlier had some concerns the celebrations could go over budget, he was pleased to report at a recent committee meeting that, thanks to a large number of major corporate sponsors, that will not be the case, and the event should be in the black.
Backed up by other districts, Trinity Conception District RCMP had about 30 officers on the scene, and the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade were also out in force to help keep everything flowing smoothly. Thanks to their efforts, everything went without a hitch - quite a feat considering the crowds.
While Dan Cleary has reached the pinnacle of success in the hockey world, after his roller coaster ride to the top, his NHL career is not over yet - far from it. It's only beginning.
But if he goes on to win 10 more Stanley Cups, it will never be quite the same as that July 1 Canada Day when history was made in Harbour Grace.
Not satisfied with having won the Stanley Cup once and being the first Newfoundlander to bring it home, Cleary concluded: "I'm very appreciative of the support I've received," and he promised: "I'll work harder next year to bring the Cup back."
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08/07/08
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robert green from flushing, michigan writes: At the begining of each season i(and my friends) pick our top player. i choose Cleary. congrats
lillian simmons:
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| Posted 08/07/2008 at 7:36 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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