AHL Central Division finals game 3: Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Lake Erie Monsters

Daniel Cleary in a playoff game with the Griffins last season.

(MLive file)

GRAND RAPIDS - Daniel Cleary is still playing hockey and contributing to the Grand Rapids Griffins, just not in a way seen by fans.

The 38-year-old veteran has a locker in the clubhouse and practices, but he has not appeared in a game this season for the AHL team.

And he's OK with that.

"I'm content," Cleary said after a practice earlier this week. "If I was healthy, maybe it would be a harder transition. But I'm good with all this."

Cleary is applying his 20 years as a pro and more than 1,100 games (NHL, AHL and Swedish leagues) to helping younger players. At practice, that makes an impact.

"For all of us young kids, it's a big help," first-pro forward Dominic Turgeon said. "Whether it's at practice or after practice, he's showing us things that we can adjust to or do better. He's one of the boys."

Cleary, after 10 years with the Red Wings, joined the Griffins last season after clearing waivers. Ryan Martin, the Red Wings assistant general manager, recalled the veteran forward was initially lukewarm to the idea.

"Frankly, we weren't sure how the relationship would go or what his role would be," Martin said. "He wasn't overly enthusiastic. But, I can tell you, when we met him after the season, the first thing he said was, 'That was the best thing I've ever done in my career. I had a ton of fun. I learned a lot and it's only going to help me in whatever I decide to do post-career.'"

Last season, Cleary played mostly on the penalty kill and, in 35 games, had 15 points (3-12-15) and played in all nine playoff games with six penalty minutes. After the season, he was signed to a standard AHL contract. Terms have not been disclosed.

He found himself deep on the depth chart as the Red Wings and Griffins overloaded on forwards. Cleary, consequently, has not played and it's uncertain whether he will or not this season for the Griffins, currently the top team in the Western Conference heading into Friday's home game against San Jose.

"His role is practice with us every day and be a mentor for the young kids on and off the ice," Griffins coach Todd Nelson said. "They understand his situation. He's very valuable in the locker room.

"Being a professional hockey player is more than what you do on the ice. It's a way of life; how you conduct yourself off the ice, how you treat your body and people, in general, And Danny's been a great mentor in that."

With a bad groin and plagued by knee issues in recent years, Cleary views success differently now.

"Satisfaction for me is watching future Red Wings get better," said Cleary, who is credited with Tyler Bertuzzi's development the past year. "I'm always talking to them about little things. Not like a dad or anything. But if I see something, I go and tell them. At the end of the day, it's always a good positive message to help them get better."

Even six-year Griffins veteran Mitch Callahan said he likes to watch and learn from Cleary.

"The great thing is he will tell you how it is," Callahan said. "If you did well, he will tell you. If you didn't, he will tell you. And I think that is invaluable for some of the younger players.

"And, for me, I still have goals to go to the next level, and he's always available to help me out with little tips here and there."

There's a chance Cleary could still get into a game or two this season, although his health and the overpopulation of veterans makes that questionable. Cleary said there won't be another year - this is it - but if his career finishes without another game played, he can accept that.

"If I was healthy, no," he said. "But I'm big-time at peace with it. I mean, hell, I've played in nearly 1,200 games. That's a lot of games."