Cleary is Newfoundland's first Cup winner

Second from province to play in Cup Finals pays tribute to his predecessor Faulkner.

Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

PITTSBURGH -- Dan Cleary made history Wednesday when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup.

Cleary became the first player from hockey-mad Canada's province of Newfoundland to win hockey's most treasured trophy.

"This feels unreal," said Cleary, who was furiously looking for his wife Nancy amid the celebration on the ice. "I won it for Newfoundland. The first guy to be on the Cup. I can't wait to bring it home so everyone can enjoy it."

Cleary, from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, received a banner with over 30,000 signatures from the eastern-most Canadian province before the playoffs began.

Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams attended Game 5 in Detroit and the two spoke Sunday afternoon.

"This is so unreal," Cleary said. "I've watched all the Stanley Cup celebrations as a kid, and now to be part of this, it's unbelievable."

The only Newfoundlander to reach the Stanley Cup Finals previously was former Red Wing Alex Faulkner.

In 1963 Faulkner was part of the Wings team that lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He also played on the 1964 Wings team, but that one, too, lost to the Maple Leafs.

Cleary has never met Faulkner, although he sent him an autographed Wings jersey for a golf auction not long ago.

"I've never met the man," Cleary said. "I know his history. He was a great, great player. My dad watched him play. It's a coincidence we both played for the Red Wings.

"He paved the way for the rest of us."

Cleary was without a team after the lockout ended three seasons ago and came to training camp with the Wings on a professional tryout.

Cleary filled a checking role that season, but has slowly evolved into a versatile player who is counted on for offense. He scored 20 goals each of the last two seasons.

Late this season Cleary passed up an opportunity for unrestricted free agency when he signed a five-year extension with the Wings worth $14 million.

Cleary said he felt loyal to an organization that gave him a chance when no other team did.

Wednesday night, he became a Stanley Cup champion.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.