Griffins sign Dan Cleary

By @MichaelCaples –

The Grand Rapids Griffins have signed Dan Cleary to a one-year contract.

A longtime member of the Red Wings, Cleary spent the 2015-16 season with the team’s AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, and now, he will be spending another season with the Griffins.

The 37-year-old forward played in 35 games for the Griffins last season, recording 15 points. He skated in all nine of their postseason games, as well.

Cleary’s professional career spans 19 seasons; he has played in 938 NHL games and 1,121 total professional contests between the NHL, AHL, IHL and Swedish Elite League.

He signed as a free agent with the Wings in 2005 and has been within the organization ever since.

It is important to note that Cleary has signed an AHL contract, not an NHL contract, as the Red Wings’ roster is already crowded in the forward category.