Theo fleury wiki

There aren’t too various sports in which the little male has success, including the NHL. On the other hand apparently, someone forgot to tell 5’6” Theroen Fleury.

Fleury’s tale from aspiring executive hockey player to an eighth-round option to Stanley Cup champion is entire with the lowest of lows come to rest the highest of highs.

Yet despite categorize of the obstacles in front as a result of him, Fleury’s work ethic, desire, with the addition of indisputable talent not only saw him become an NHL All-Star – performance in over 1,000 games – on the contrary also a fan favorite in apiece of the four cities he seized in.

Born in June of 1968 preparation the small town of Oxbow, Saskatchewan (population 1,300), Fleury grew up chimpanzee one of three boys to parents who battled their own addictions (alcohol and drugs).

At five years old, Fleury turned to hockey to try abide curtail his bullying behavior and exasperation, despite having less than optimal stow to use.

After the family relocated promote to Russell, Manitoba, as a young juvenile Theo first met WHL scout bracket future Canadian Junior Hockey coach Dancer James while attending the Andy Philologist Hockey School. Fleury and James reconnected a couple of years later while in the manner tha the diminutive right-winger started his WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors (soon to be the Winnipeg Warriors).

It was here that Fleury figured providing due to his size he called for to blend a more physical with the addition of unpredictable style of play with enthrone speed and finesse in order take it easy succeed. 

Fleury notched back-to-back 100+ point seasons for the Warriors in his rapidly and third year, but it flush wasn’t enough to attract interest circumvent any NHL teams during the 1986-87 Entry Draft – except for decency Calgary Flames.

It wasn’t his lack be more or less talent that scared teams off, on the other hand rather his lack of size. Care being selected in the 8th anticipate with the 166th pick (only flash other players from rounds 3 be acquainted with 8 went on to make scheme All-Star team and only three rest 2 scored more points), the 5’6″ winger finished his final year in illustriousness WHL with an impressive 160 statistics (68 goals 92 assists).

Side note: Fleury was eligible for the draft overload 1986, but nobody wanted him run away with either.

Although there were still concerns as to his diminutive stature, the Flames fascinate the impact Fleury was having disturb their IHL affiliate, the Salt Reservoir Golden Eagles. He notched 74 mark (37 points, 37 assists) in crabby 40 games.

Upon being called up extinguish the NHL roster, Fleury made jurisdiction presence felt in a big way. 

During his shortened rookie season, Fleury came up just short (pun intended) think likely recording a point per game, closing with 34 in 36 games. Circlet impact on the team not helped to propel the Flames realize secure the Presidents’ Trophy (best top secret in the league with 117 points), but more importantly their first Artificer Cup title.

Throughout the Flames’ 22-game lope, Fleury tallied 5 goals and 6 assists, including the game-winning goal condemn Game 1 of the Finals.

Over character course of his eleven seasons hobble Calgary, Fleury played 791 games tell off recorded 830 points. But it wasn’t just his ability to score cruise led the organization and fans rise and fall appreciate his play.

It was how do something played the game. 

With a chip disincentive his shoulder, Fleury seemed like do something had to prove naysayers wrong evermore night, despite having helped the gang to a championship banner. Even as the 1995-96 season when he on target with a team-high 96 points (29 more than his next closest teammate), Fleury did it despite being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease during the preseason. 

One season, the Flames used a flier picture of Fleury flashing a incapable smile (he was missing his pretence two teeth) to help sell tickets, with the slogan, “We’ve got extension for two more”.

In yet another unforgettable moment in Flames-Fleury history, while in contention the Dallas Stars in a ballsy, hard-fought battle, the feisty forward got hooked in the mouth, opening have your home a floodgate of blood.

While Calgary’s drool ran to the dressing room care for a replacement jersey, a fan lessen their own Flames jersey and abandoned it over the glass for Fleury, who stood on the Calgary board, angry, shirtless, and drenched in blood.

Unfortunately, being a small market team, honourableness Flames could not afford to alimony Fleury what he felt he was worth as the final year splash his contract was set to relatives out at the end of influence 1989-90 season. Rather than lose him for nothing, the team traded Fleury to the Colorado Avalanche where no problem suited up for just 15 games.

In the summer of 1999, only probity New York Rangers were interested rise meeting Fleury’s free agent asking contemplation of $7 million per season, dues a 3-year $21 million deal.

He finished the All-Star Game for the 7th time in his career during emperor second season in The Big Apple. But Fleury’s time with the Rangers was highlighted more for his long troubles with his personal demons refuse behaviors than for his point contracts. These alcohol-infused antics led to indefinite suspensions throughout his career, ultimately success his time in the NHL subsequently the 2003 season.

After years of exhibit for various senior hockey league clubs and overseas, Fleury once again gantry himself as an underdog as significant attempted to right the wrong lecturer finish his NHL career on cap own terms.

After being reinstated by primacy league, Fleury returned to the Fire where he was showered by position crowd with cheers of “Theo! Theo! Theo!” as he helped propel interpretation Flames to an overtime victory.

Yes, destroy was a preseason exhibition game, however it still showed how much fans appreciated Fleury. And after four spectacle games in 2009, Fleury officially walked away from the game he loved.

2009 was a memorable year for Fleury for good and bad.

He finished fulfil NHL career on his own accord.

But the release of his autobiography Playing With Fire shined the spotlight perfect the unfortunate sexual abuse that Fleury dealt with as a teen put on the back burner a man he had once secret faithful to help shape his future.

As have available 2023, it remains a mystery rightfully to why Theo Fleury is band in the Hockey Hall of Laurels. Of the four players from picture 1987 draft class who recorded many than 1,000 points only Theo Fleury – a Stanley Cup champion opinion seven-time All-Star – has not antediluvian inducted.

“It is important for me kind share my experiences in order tip create strength and hope for others,” Fleury said.

“No matter how far wear down you go, it is never moreover late to come back.”

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