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| Last updated at 3:01 PM on 08/07/08 |
Legacy seal, destiny fulfilled 
BOB WHITE
The Compass
Danny Cleary's place in the history books was written in fine fashion last week when he returned home to Riverhead, Harbour Grace as this province's first-ever Stanley Cup champion. He was accompanied by one of the world's most recognized sports trophies.
Two days of fanfare and celebration were capped off with a huge party on St. Francis field where an estimated 30,000 people showed up to get a glimpse of the "da Man" and "da Cup."
It was an exhausting, whirlwind tour for Cleary and his family, but speaking with him on the eve of the big day, Monday night, June 30, Cleary was determined and delighted to share Lord Stanley's mug with as many people as possible.
It was the same sort of determination that made Cleary a huge part of the Detroit Red Wings championship team.
No matter the obstacles, Cleary showed his true character to make it happen.
Most NHL players would spend their time with the Cup with a small group of family and friends. Credit Cleary for having the generosity and the desire - he told me it was his intent, his wish to have this type of celebration even before Detroit had won the Cup to share it with the masses.
Many people got the opportunity to see a side of Cleary that perhaps wasn't fully appreciated before Canada Day 2008.
He is a good guy, who is most proud of his roots. He was simply thrilled that kids of all ages were getting the chance to feel good about something he had done, and was humbled to have inspired youth to dream big dreams.
And make no mistake, many people reaped the benefits of Cleary's Cup win and trip home. Businesses in the area were busy in the days and weeks leading up to July 1. And it's fair to say the Town of Harbour Grace and surrounding communities will get good mileage out of the spotlight cast on this area, for years to come.
From the "O Danny Boy" serenade of Cleary by Premier Danny Williams (heretofore known as the "other Danny") to the cheering, chanting crowd, to the question and answer session with minor hockey kids, the Canada Day Cleary celebration was one to remember.
Looking back over his career to date, it seems fitting that Cleary has arrived at this point. He showed signs of being a special talent at an early age and from the moment he burst onto the scene as a star in the Ontario Hockey League, Cleary has garnered his share of media attention.
Over 100 accredited members of the media were in Harbour Grace last week because of Cleary and because they knew this was a special moment to be captured.
Now that's the kind of tourism promotion/advertising no government, provincial or municipal, could buy.
Just as "there's no price tags on the doors of Newfoundland," as the song says, neither would it be possible to put a price tag on the kind of positive press the area enjoyed last week.
Thousands lined up to touch the Holy Grail of hockey and had their pictures taken with the coveted Cup. An entire province got swept up in the emotion. Our fellow Canadians on the mainland and beyond were aware of what was happening here in Harbour Grace.
And it was all made possible by one man - one guy who got to this point by having a dream, and was brave enough to go after it, facing each challenge along the way as best he could and never giving up.
No matter what happens next year or in the remaining years of his NHL career, Cleary's legacy has been sealed. His destiny as a truly special athlete has been fulfilled.
Bob White is a former sports reporter with The Compass and other newspapers. He is currently marketing and membership coordinator with the Baccalieu Trail Board of Trade. He can be reached at: (email: bobwhite@baccalieutrail.ca)
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08/07/08
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