TORONTO

Reaching the big 3-0 for a minor league hockey player, who is sitting during the playoffs, might be reason to have kept birthday celebrations on Tuesday to a dull roar or mope about Father Time.

But Rich Clune refuses to take a take a dim view, embracing his role to keep younger Maple Leafs farm prospects on point, and showing them coping mechanisms that go with being a spectator at the best time of year. It starts with Clune’s own situation, used in the last three games of the schedule as the Marlies’ peaked for playoffs, then dropped because the AHL limit is five players in the veteran category per game.

“This year has been a learning experience as the odd man out,” Clune said prior to Friday’s Game 4 against the Albany Devils at Ricoh Coliseum. “But as a professional athlete, you have no right to complain.

"I see some people and they must live in this amazing world and they complain about all the nice stuff they don’t have, when there are thousands and thousands of people who would kill to be in my position. I’m certainly not happy out of the lineup, but I’ve been playing too long that I won’t allow myself to get discouraged.”

Last year’s playoffs were a different situation for the Marlies. Kid stars destined for the Leafs were playing no matter what. William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Carrick, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown and Nikita Soshnikov among others had the run of Ricoh.

This team has a different composition, more veterans and more green projects than blue chip prospects. Other than Kapanen, the focus is on defence with draft picks Travis Dermott, Andrew Nielsen and Rinat Valiev, so it’s vital to get in the lineup - and not to get discouraged in the press box. That’s why the scrappy Clune is careful how he carries himself off the ice.

“I don’t preach about anything, but if someone finds themselves pushing from the bottom up, I want this to be an environment where there’s no complaining, pissing or moaning. Do your job to the best of your abilities, whether you are the first line centre, the starting goalie or a guy out of the lineup who has to push others," he said.

“I’m not talking about putting on a fake smile. But whatever role you’re in, play that role. That’s what I’m trying to do. It’s playoffs and anything can happen, so you have to be ready.

“We were happy for all the guys who’ve gone up to the Leafs. (This year) Freddy Gauthier had some success and I thought Kasperi was one of the impact players for the Leafs’ fourth line. We were all proud of him. But it’s human nature, especially in sports with all the alpha males in the room - everyone wants their piece of the pie.

"But any sort of feelings like that we nip in the bud right away. We’re happy for the guys who moved up, but the reality is, not everyone will make it.”

Coach Sheldon Keefe, just two years into his first AHL job, still needs the help of NHL experienced-players, in Clune’s case, 143 games including time with the Leafs.

“He brings energy to the rink every day and handled his situation really well in terms of not playing,” Keefe said of Clune. “He’s right at the top of our hardest working guys, in the gym, on the ice. Everything he brings is contagious.

“He’s a really important piece for our young people, just to come every day to work recognizing there are things you can’t control. In his case, it’s who our veterans will be (in the lineup). We value the young players here, so Cluner has to take a bit of a back seat, but he’s still brought the work ethic. That’s what makes our team better, that’s what you want in your veteran component.”

East-end Toronto native Clune has another pro hockey life lesson for his mates, his well documented battle with alcoholism, a triumph of which helped him land a spot with the Leafs with Mike Babcock’s support last season. Clune joked about having a dry but eventful celebration for his 30th on Tuesday, with his family and personal chiropractor Dr. Robert Goto and his wife, Christina.

“I’m sober, but I still know how to have fun,” Clune said with a laugh. “I got introduced to Dr. Goto and Christina seven years ago, right around the time I got sober, and they’ve been two people who’ve influenced me immensely. I’m very grateful for that. I lean on them a lot and they’ve grown into kind of seconds parents of mine.”

“I go to Dr. Goto to get my neck and shoulders adjusted, but he was a body builder and it always turns into an arm workout.”

LHornby@postmedia.com