Theo Fleury
Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury was born June 29, 1968 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Russell, Manitoba.
As a child, Fleury and his two brothers, Ted and Travis played shinny in the street, in the yard, in their basement and at the local rink, non-stop. A charming kid half the size of anyone his age, he was so good that he could-and would!-occasionally hold the puck for an entire shift in a game just for fun. Nobody could touch him. People came from small towns all across Manitoba just to watch "the Kid from Russell."
When he was 13, a skate blade injury almost ended not only his career, but his life. An innovative procedure by a specialist in Winnipeg saved his arm, but Fleury was forced to switch hands to play hockey. With hard work and perseverance Fleury overcame that obstacle, but he was still so small that despite his talent, people laughed when he told them he was going to play for the NHL someday.
Fleury's ambition was bigger than his size and he went on to play Junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors. Fleury was the best player the Warriors had ever had on their team and many of his records still stand today, but for the longest time scouts ignored him. Under 5'6 and 140 pounds soaking wet, he was still considered too small. Finally, his big break came. In his second year of eligibility, he was scouted by the Calgary Flames at the age of 19 and was drafted in the 8th round, 166th overall. Fleury was on his way.
Despite considerable success, Fleury's career wasn't without its hardships. As a junior, he was at the centre of the infamous Punch-up in Piestany, a brawl that saw both Canada and the Soviet Union disqualified from the 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In 1996, Fleury was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a painful bowel condition. He also battled drug and alcohol addictions throughout his career, which ultimately forced him out of the NHL in 2003.
One not to shy away from insurmountable odds, Fleury began training full time in the spring of 2009 with his mind set on playing hockey at a professional level once again. Everything was stacked against him. Now 41 years old, he had not played an NHL game in six years and was still suspended by the league. Fleury was determined and training harder than he ever and met with the NHL doctors in an attempt to be reinstated by the league.
On September 10, 2009, Fleury met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and based on the NHL doctors recommendation he reinstated Fleury to the NHL. A whirlwind of activity followed the announcement of his reinstatement and Fleury was invited to the opening of the Calgary Flames training camp two days later.
During the opening day of camp Fleury amazed everyone when his fitness tests revealed that he was in best shape of his life and scored right in line with the top players reporting to camp including veterans and rookies 20 years his junior. Fleury played hard at camp and got news that he would suit up for the Flames second pre-season game vs the New York Islanders wearing his signature number 14. A media frenzy ensued with word of Fleurys return to the ice. Number 14 did not disappoint the fans at the packed Saddledome, scoring the shootout winner in his return to the NHL.
Fleury played four games for the Flames in the pre season scoring four points. He became an inspiration for fans around the globe. A comeback was not meant to be and on September 25, 2009 he was released by the Flames. Although he could have still played for another team Fleury came full circle on September 28, 2009 when he decided to retire from hockey for good as a Calgary Flame where it all began over 20 years ago.
Fleury worked hard to overcome his addictions and now gives hope and inspiration to others through his speaking engagements at a variety of events. Fleury has also been involved with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation since his diagnosis and has helped to raise over a million dollars for that important cause.
In August of 2009 he was presented with a traditional War Bonnet (headdress) at the Siksika Nation Annual Powwow, which makes him an official Siksika Blackfoot warrior - a great honour.
On October 14, 2009, Playing With Fire, (Theo Fleury with Kirstie McLennan Day, HarperCollins Canada) hit bookstores across the country. "Fleury takes us behind the bench during his glorious days as an NHL player and talks about growing up devastatingly poor and in chaos at home. Dark personal issues haunted him, with drinking, drugs, gambling and girls ultimately derailing his Hall of Fame-calibre career." - source HarperCollins Canada.
Theo knows firsthand what it takes to become a champion, to build a strong team, and to overcome whatever difficulties life may throw your way.
Theoren Wallace "Theo" Fleury was born June 29, 1968 in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Russell, Manitoba.
As a child, Fleury and his two brothers, Ted and Travis played shinny in the street, in the yard, in their basement and at the local rink, non-stop. A charming kid half the size of anyone his age, he was so good that he could-and would!-occasionally hold the puck for an entire shift in a game just for fun. Nobody could touch him. People came from small towns all across Manitoba just to watch "the Kid from Russell."
When he was 13, a skate blade injury almost ended not only his career, but his life. An innovative procedure by a specialist in Winnipeg saved his arm, but Fleury was forced to switch hands to play hockey. With hard work and perseverance Fleury overcame that obstacle, but he was still so small that despite his talent, people laughed when he told them he was going to play for the NHL someday.
Fleury's ambition was bigger than his size and he went on to play Junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors. Fleury was the best player the Warriors had ever had on their team and many of his records still stand today, but for the longest time scouts ignored him. Under 5'6 and 140 pounds soaking wet, he was still considered too small. Finally, his big break came. In his second year of eligibility, he was scouted by the Calgary Flames at the age of 19 and was drafted in the 8th round, 166th overall. Fleury was on his way.
Despite considerable success, Fleury's career wasn't without its hardships. As a junior, he was at the centre of the infamous Punch-up in Piestany, a brawl that saw both Canada and the Soviet Union disqualified from the 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In 1996, Fleury was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a painful bowel condition. He also battled drug and alcohol addictions throughout his career, which ultimately forced him out of the NHL in 2003.
One not to shy away from insurmountable odds, Fleury began training full time in the spring of 2009 with his mind set on playing hockey at a professional level once again. Everything was stacked against him. Now 41 years old, he had not played an NHL game in six years and was still suspended by the league. Fleury was determined and training harder than he ever and met with the NHL doctors in an attempt to be reinstated by the league.
On September 10, 2009, Fleury met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and based on the NHL doctors recommendation he reinstated Fleury to the NHL. A whirlwind of activity followed the announcement of his reinstatement and Fleury was invited to the opening of the Calgary Flames training camp two days later.
During the opening day of camp Fleury amazed everyone when his fitness tests revealed that he was in best shape of his life and scored right in line with the top players reporting to camp including veterans and rookies 20 years his junior. Fleury played hard at camp and got news that he would suit up for the Flames second pre-season game vs the New York Islanders wearing his signature number 14. A media frenzy ensued with word of Fleurys return to the ice. Number 14 did not disappoint the fans at the packed Saddledome, scoring the shootout winner in his return to the NHL.
Fleury played four games for the Flames in the pre season scoring four points. He became an inspiration for fans around the globe. A comeback was not meant to be and on September 25, 2009 he was released by the Flames. Although he could have still played for another team Fleury came full circle on September 28, 2009 when he decided to retire from hockey for good as a Calgary Flame where it all began over 20 years ago.
Fleury worked hard to overcome his addictions and now gives hope and inspiration to others through his speaking engagements at a variety of events. Fleury has also been involved with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation since his diagnosis and has helped to raise over a million dollars for that important cause.
In August of 2009 he was presented with a traditional War Bonnet (headdress) at the Siksika Nation Annual Powwow, which makes him an official Siksika Blackfoot warrior - a great honour.
On October 14, 2009, Playing With Fire, (Theo Fleury with Kirstie McLennan Day, HarperCollins Canada) hit bookstores across the country. "Fleury takes us behind the bench during his glorious days as an NHL player and talks about growing up devastatingly poor and in chaos at home. Dark personal issues haunted him, with drinking, drugs, gambling and girls ultimately derailing his Hall of Fame-calibre career." - source HarperCollins Canada.
Theo knows firsthand what it takes to become a champion, to build a strong team, and to overcome whatever difficulties life may throw your way.
