Theoren Fleury
Small in stature, giant in spirit: Theo Fleury's fiery path from the Flames to Olympic gold.
Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury (born 29 June 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, author and motivational speaker. He played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga, and the Belfast Giants of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League. He was drafted by the Flames in the 8th round, 166th overall, at the 1987 NHL entry draft, and played over 1,000 games in the NHL between 1989 and 2003.
Quick Facts
- Draft year
- 1987
Lore & Background
One of the smallest players of his generation, Fleury played a physical style that often led to altercations. As a junior, he was at the centre of the infamous Punch-up in Piestany, a brawl that resulted in the disqualification of both Canada and the Soviet Union from the 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Once considered unlikely to play in the NHL due to his small size, Fleury scored over 1,000 points in his career, placing him 61st in career NHL scoring, and won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Flames. He twice represented Canada at the Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal in 2002. Throughout his career, he battled drug and alcohol addictions that ultimately forced him out of the NHL in 2003. He played one season in the British Elite Ice Hockey League in 2005–06, and made two attempts to win the Allan Cup. After an unsuccessful NHL comeback attempt with the Flames, he retired in 2009. Outside of hockey, Fleury overcame his addictions, operated a concrete business in Calgary with his family, and filmed a pilot for a reality television show about it. He marketed his own brand of clothing, which led him to play two professional baseball games for the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League. In 1995, he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and his annual charity golf tournament has helped raise more than $1 million for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Fleury co-wrote Playing with Fire, a best-selling autobiography released in October 2009, in which he revealed that he had been sexually abused by former coach Graham James. Fleury filed a criminal complaint against James, who subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault. Fleury has since become an advocate for sexual abuse victims and developed a career as a public speaker. He was a recipient of the Indspire Award in the sports category in 2013. Additionally, he hosts the "Theo Fleury 14 Hockey Camp" which helps to teach, inspire and educate young hockey players ages 6 to 16. Moreover, Fleury travelled to Vancouver in 2013 where he assisted and co-hosted the 19th Annual Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
Reader's Guide
Fleury was born on 29 June 1968, in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, the first of Wally and Donna Fleury's three sons. He is of Métis heritage and his grandmother Mary was Cree. Fleury was subject to racism for being of Metis descent throughout his playing career. He began his junior career in 1983–84 with the St. James Canadians of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, then moved to the Moose Jaw Warriors. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 8th round, 166th overall, of the 1987 NHL entry draft. He won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Flames. He recorded 90+ points four times, and 100+ points twice. He averaged 1.026 points per game in the Stanley Cup playoffs, 32nd best in league history. He won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He retired in 2009.
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