Thousands cheer Cleary and Stanley Cup in Harbour Grace, N.L.
Red Wings right-winger brings NHL trophy to his hometown for Canada Day
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 | 10:24 AM NT
CBC News
Daniel Cleary parades the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Harbour Grace, N.L., Tuesday. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press) Thousands of people thronged streets, a soccer field and the municipal arena in Harbour Grace, N.L., on Tuesday as hometown hero Daniel Cleary of the Detroit Red Wings made good on a promise to bring the Stanley Cup for a Canada Day visit.
Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, after the Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins last month in the NHL championship.
A one-kilometre-long motorcade bore Cleary and the Cup, accompanied by family and friends, through the centre of town to a resounding chorus of honking horns and cheering. Vehicles and buildings were draped in red and white banners, the colours of both Canada and the Detroit Red Wings.
The CBC's Christina Marshall watched the parade begin its journey through Harbour Grace.
"It is absolutely insane here. I'm only a few feet away from it. People are cheering, honking. It's a real celebration," Marshall said.
Young players meet Cleary, touch Cup
At a local arena, Cleary met young hockey players and let them touch the Cup.
He and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams made speeches and the politician serenaded the hockey player with a rendition of the Irish classic Oh Danny Boy.
In his speech, Cleary said he hoped the Cup's visit to Newfoundland would be an inspiration to young hockey players and fans, and he thanked his family and friends for their support in his sporting career.
"People gave a tremendous cheer for Dan Cleary," the CBC's Jonathan Crowe reported from Harbour Grace, "a fitting tribute to the man who brought the Stanley Cup to this province."
The Cup was then placed on display at a soccer field, sheltered by a tent from the rain. A Mountie in full ceremonial scarlet and a stetson stood guard while people who'd waited in the inclement weather for hours filed past, taking pictures and touching the venerable trophy.
Speaking to CBC News from the venue, Cleary said it was one of the proudest days of his life.
"It's been great, awesome. I'm proud of the fact that my name is on the Cup, the first from Newfoundland. I'm a proud Newfoundlander. It was a great place to grow up," Cleary said.
People came from all over Newfoundland and Labrador, some driving for many hours to reach the town on Conception Bay, in the east of the province. Others came from Quebec and Prince Edward Island for a glimpse of the Cup.
Harbour Grace made extensive arrangements to receive out-of-town visitors who took advantage of the Canada Day holiday to take the day off and drop in on the festivities
Mayor Don Coombs said Cleary wants to say thanks to all of the people in the town for their support during the Stanley Cup playoffs..
"To get it on Canada Day is something special. It gives everyone a chance to share with Danny … [and] be able to be a part of the history that he made," Coombs said before the festivities began.
Young patients see Cup
The Cup arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday when Cleary arrived on a flight into St. John's. Hundreds of people cheered as he went through the city's airport carrying the trophy.
Cleary told journalists he was overjoyed to be in his home province and couldn't wait to reach Harbour Grace for the Canada Day festivities.
"Being a Newfoundlander is something I'm real proud of. Bringing the Stanley Cup home is an honour for me," he said.
After his arrival on Monday, Cleary took the trophy to Janeway Children's Hospital in St. John's to visit young patients in a private event.
