A native of Carbonear, Newfoundland, Cleary skated in 17 games with the Red Wings during the 2014-15 campaign, notching two points (1-1-2) and six penalty minutes. The 36-year-old forward has totaled 265 points (124-141-265) and 299 penalty minutes in 609 games with the club since 2005-06. He has also appeared in 111 playoff games for the Red Wings, registering 49 points (23-26-49) and 66 penalty minutes and helped the team capture the 11th Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2008.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round (13th overall) of the 1997 NHL draft, Cleary has played 938 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes and Red Wings, recording 387 points (165-222-387) and 492 penalty minutes. Prior to his NHL career, he notched 101 points (31-70-101) in 97 AHL games with the Portland Pirates and Hamilton Bulldogs from 1998-00. Prior to turning pro in 1998-99, Cleary tallied 323 points (127-196-323) in 220 games during his four-season OHL career with the Belleville Bulls. He was a two-time OHL First-Team All-Star (1996 and 1997) as well as a CHL Second-Team All-Star in 1996 and a member of the CHL All-Rookie Team in 1995.