"I just think I have earned the right to be here based on my play the last few years in the...

"I just think I have earned the right to be here based on my play the last few years in the playoffs and the regular season," Cleary told NHL.com. "I think I'm good at both ends of the ice. I have played on top lines and I think I had a good playoff this year, a good run. I have good experience of being in critical situations. With our team in Detroit I play in every situation. I play in the last minute of the power play and penalty kill. I feel I deserve to be here."

He's right.

Cleary is here because he represents the vision Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock have for their role players on Team Canada at the 2010 Olympics. Whether that means he makes the final cut remains to be seen, but this much we do know: Cleary is not here because Yzerman and Babcock wanted a familiar face in Calgary. ...

Cleary, who believes he's "the most comfortable guy in camp," has an advantage over every other Canadian skater because he knows Babcock's coaching style and his systems. The coach is also comfortable in putting Cleary in all situations.

-- Dan Rosen of NHL.com

2 months ago Christy 1 comment 0 recs |

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On Cleary status with the Olympic Team

I touched on this subject (fanpost) on SCH that guys like Lucic, Sharp, and Cleary have a good shot at making the Canadian team for the can play all positions and their physical style of play (Lucic in particular) will be beneficial given that this tournament will be played on North American size ice. With a hot start (like Sharp and Lucic) Danny Cleary would have a good opportunity to make this team.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Aug 29, 2009 4:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs