Theoren Fleury

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. During his career Fleury 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 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.

In Their Own Story

The arena is half-empty. Practice is over, the Zamboni has finished its pass, and the ice is a smooth white sheet under the floodlights. A single puck sits at centre ice, and a figure in a red-and-white Senators warmup skates out from the bench tunnel, stick dragging, head down. He drops the puck, skates in a wide arc, and then—without a single hesitation—carries it into the corner. The backhand deke is so quick the defender in the mirror (if there were one) would never see it. He pulls the stick back, and the one-timer cracks off the crossbar with a sound like a gunshot in the empty building. He skates back, pulls off his helmet, and smiles at no one in particular. The ice glistens. The puck is still there, waiting for the next creative act.

Reader's Guide

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, Theoren 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.

Did You Know?

• Fleury is of Métis heritage and his grandmother Mary was Cree.
• He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1995, and his annual charity golf tournament has helped raise more than $1 million for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
• Fleury played two professional baseball games for the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League.
• He scored 160 points in 1987–88, tying for the WHL lead with Joe Sakic and sharing the Bob Clarke Trophy.