DETROIT — A former first-round draft pick, Dan Cleary has resurrected his vocation in Hockeytown. For a career that certainly seemed stalled four years ago, Cleary has made an impact with the Red Wings, which was evident last month.

Wings forward Dan Cleary had two goals and two assists in home-and-home wins over Dallas last month.

The veteran right wing compiled 13 points and was a plus-11, helping the Red Wings to a 9-2-1 record in January. Cleary’s efforts were good enough to be named the Carthartt “Hardest Working” Player of the Month for January.

Cleary was scheduled to receive his award from Carhartt during a pre-game ceremony prior to the start of the Wings’ home game against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena on February 10. But Cleary, who had surgery to repair a fractured jaw on Feb. 9, was unavailable.

During the regular-season, Carhartt is presenting the monthly award to the hardest working Red Wings’ player, along with Carhartt merchandise. The award recognizes the player for his hard work and individual dedication to commitment necessary to excel on the ice. The Red Wings’ coaching staff and front office personnel select the monthly recipients.

In January, Cleary scored seven goals with six assists while posting a plus-11 rating in 12 games that included a pair of goals in the Wings’ 3-2 victory over Vancouver on Jan. 17.

Cleary scored in six of the 12 games, including four games where he tallied multiple-points. He had a goal and assist in each of the home-and-home wins over the Dallas Stars on Jan. 2 and Jan. 5. Twice he had three-point nights, collecting a goal and two assists in a 6-5 shootout loss to Minnesota (Jan. 10) and a 6-3 win at San Jose (Jan. 19).

He scored his third game-winning goal of the season, when on Jan. 6 in Chicago, he netted the second goal in the Wings’ three goal first period. Detroit defeated the Blackhawks, 3-1.

Cleary is the fourth Red Wings’ player so honored by Carhartt this season, joining past recipients Henrik Zetterberg (October), Chris Osgood (November), and Pavel Datsyuk (December).

For over 115 years, Carhartt has manufactured premium workwear known for exceptional durability, comfort, quality of construction, and fit that you can feel in the fabrics and see in the performance. Established in 1889, Carhartt is family-owned and operated with over 4,000 employees dedicated to providing Best-in-Class apparel for the active worker.

Carhartt and the Red Wings would like to recognize Dan Cleary for his outstanding work and success during the month of November and wish him continued success throughout the remainder of the 2007-08 season.