Dan Cleary refuses to report to Red Wings AHL team

Newfoundland hockey player Dan Cleary is reportedly refusing to report to the AHL after the Detroit Red Wings assigned him to the team's farm club in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Cleary was recently offered a last-minute contract with the Red Wings, but was told he would be a long shot to make the NHL team given the level of talent of other players on the roster.

Once he cleared waivers, Cleary was assigned to play in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but according to the Detroit Free press, Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland now said that the Cleary "is not reporting to Grand Rapids."

Cleary, originally from Carbonear, joined the Red Wings in 2005 and went on to be one of the team's main players — even winning a Stanley Cup in 2008.

He played in 17 games for the Red Wings last season, finishing with one goal and one assist.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Cleary had previously rejected a $8.25-million verbal agreement with the Philadelphia Flyers for this season to go with the Red Wings on a $950,000 contract.

The report goes on to say that Cleary was put on waivers Wednesday, cleared and was re-assigned Thursday before informing the NHL club he would not report to the Griffins.