Executive Council
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 5, 2008

Premier Congratulates Cleary on Stanley Cup Win

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today extended congratulations to Riverhead, Harbour Grace native Dan Cleary on being the first hockey player from Newfoundland and Labrador to ever play on a Stanley Cup winning team.

"There has been a tremendous energy and feeling of excitement throughout the province during this year�s NHL playoffs," said Premier Williams. "Danny Cleary�s contribution to his team�s win was significant and his performance kept us riveted during an exciting Stanley Cup final. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are avid hockey fans, and we could not be more proud of this incredibly talented athlete and exceptional role model for young fans everywhere."

Detroit defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 last night at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh during game six of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, was in Harbour Grace last night to celebrate the victory of the hometown hero with Cleary�s biggest fans and noted the importance of the win to the province�s emerging hockey stars.

"Seeing Danny Cleary hoist that famous cup has no doubt inspired young hockey players across Newfoundland and Labrador," Minister Jackman said. "Having his name engraved on the Stanley Cup is a milestone event in this province�s sports history."

Mr. Cleary left home as a teenager to play junior hockey in Kingston, Ontario. In 1994-95, at the age of 16 he registered 81 points as an Ontario Hockey League rookie with the Belleville Bulls and was selected in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, 13th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks.

"For Danny, the road to raising the Stanley Cup has been one of perseverance, hard work and overcoming obstacles," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, MHA for the District of Carbonear - Harbour Grace who was present in Pittsburgh to witness the historic event. "Danny comes from a town with a deep hockey history and I�m extremely proud, as are the constituents of Carbonear - Harbour Grace, that he is the first Newfoundlander and Labradorian to win the Stanley Cup. We all share in this victory with him."

This year marks Mr. Cleary�s third season with the Detroit Red Wings. He recently signed a contract to play with the team for an additional five years.

Only 26 players from this province have played in the NHL and, until now, none have been able to capture hockey�s biggest prize.

"On behalf of hockey fans across the province, I commend Danny on this monumental win," Premier Williams said. "He embodies the true fighting spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador. We will all be waiting anxiously for the Stanley Cup to arrive here in Newfoundland and Labrador, as we make our mark in yet another sport on the international stage."

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Media contacts:

Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 693-7291
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca 
Andrea Nolan
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
andreanolan@gov.nl.ca
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 
 

2008 06 05                                                    10:35 a.m.

 


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