Daniel Cleary and the Canadian Olympic Team: What Are His Chances?

Nearly three weeks ago, when the 46 invitees to Hockey Canada's Olympic orientation camp were announced, the least anticipated name on the list, without question, was Detroit Red Wings' forward Daniel Cleary. Despite being fresh off of an impressive showing in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, many people's initial reaction was to scoff at the notion of a man who took nearly eight seasons to carve out his niche in the NHL would be accompanying a Canadian dream team to the most highly-regarded and prestigious of international tournaments. But is it really that far-fetched to think that we'll see Cleary suit up at the next Olympic Games? While the 11-year veteran still has a ways to go to prove himself completely worthy, and with only a small window of opportunity in which to do so, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he'll be donning the red and white in Vancouver in just seven months. Perhaps the greatest indicator currently working in Cleary&...