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View Full Version : Cleary: From Scorer to Grinder


Superstarov
10-01-2006, 12:04 PM
From the Free Press: (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/SPORTS05/610010710/1053)

"I know what my role is," said Cleary, who became a dependable grinder last season with the Wings. "I'm just trying to expand on it as much as I can."

Cleary said he's supposed to "be good on face-offs, be strong in the D-zone, skate and be hard to play against. Expand on it. Be more confident with the puck, make smart plays and offense will come.

"It's a role that I've worked on for a few years. It's tough coming out of junior being a scorer," Cleary said.

Also a similar article from the Detroit News (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/SPORTS0103/610010335/1128)

One of the most improved players on the Red Wings this exhibition season has been Dan Cleary.

Making the team as a try-out last season, Cleary has looked much more confident and assured this time.

I like what this guy has done to become a player in the NHL. A lot of people don't realize that he was the 13th overall pick in 1997, and was expected to become a big time scorer. But that didn't work out, and he struggled. He had to learn to contribute in other ways. I have a lot of repsect for this guy for being able to, and recognizing that he needed to, do that.

roscoe36
10-01-2006, 12:23 PM
Not unlike Stevie.

Superstarov
10-01-2006, 03:15 PM
Not unlike Stevie.

Pretty different circumstances though.

Stevie did it because he wanted to win a cup, and Bowman laid down the law.

Cleary did it to stay in the league.