GrandRapidsGriffs_27

Daniel Cleary.

(Taylor Ballek | MLive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS = Daniel Cleary played in 111 playoff games with the Detroit Red Wings and knows, at age 37, there won't be any more of them in his future.

But he hopes for a long postseason run with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The NHL veteran is playing in his first AHL playoffs since 2000 when he was a 22-year-old with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He may not feel like a kid after 19 seasons as a pro, but he has no intention of retiring. He's having a blast.

"I certainly readied myself for the playoffs, for sure," Cleary said. "I love this. We know all the cliches, but it is where reputations are built, where you create bonds when you win and we have a very good team."

The Griffins, who lead the Central Division semifinals 2-0 with a chance to eliminate the Milwaukee Admiral at 7 tonight at Van Andel Arena, play better with Cleary in the lineup. They are 29-7-1-0 when he plays.

"This is what he lives for along with all our veterans," said coach Todd Nelson. "It's good for our young guys to see it."

Cleary joined the Griffins following a week of contemplation after he was waived in early October by the Red Wings following 10 seasons that included three 20-goal seasons, another 23 goals in the postseason and a Stanley Cup title in 2008.

CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS VS. GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

Game 1: Griffins 3, Admirals 1

Game 2: Griffins 2, Admirals 1

Game 3: Tuesday - at Grand Rapids, 7

*Game 4: Wednesday - at Grand Rapids, 7

*Game 5: April 30 - at Milwaukee, 8

*if necessary... All times EDT



In 35 regular-season games with the Griffins this season, he had three goals and 15 points.

His role with the Griffins during much of the season was sage veteran as injuries kept him off the ice. Now he looks to make a difference on it.

"I take a lot of pride in being a good penalty killer," he said. "I just want to be a guy that we can rely on. And secondary is scoring. Be a guy who can create offense, get in front of the net, be reliable and smart."

Cleary is part of a unique group on the Griffins. The team includes captain Jeff Hoggan and defenseman Nathan Paetsch, 10-plus year pros who play at a high level yet have accepted their futures do not include the NHL. Both were also part of the Griffins' Calder Cup championship run in 2013.

The unselfishness gives Nelson a lot of leaders in the clubhouse.

"It's a balance in the regular season where you want to develop (young talent) but you also want to win," he said. "I don't care what anyone says, if you don't go through it and learn how to win at this level, it's going to be very tough in Detroit.

"For me, we have experience here and they are here to help the other guys with the ups and downs and they've been through it before. Let's face it, they (veterans) want to win, too, and that's what we're involved with now."

Cleary spoke to the team before Game 1 in Milwaukee and cautioned against inconsistency.

"It was about being a champion, being a winner, what it feels like and the sacrifice and discipline that's needed," he said. "We responded pretty well (in the first two games). We have a good team.

"But I just asked, 'Are we the team that can score the most, give up the least, great on special teams and can win 15 games (to win the championship)? Or are we one that wins two, loses two and doesn't take charge? Which one are we?"

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.