Theoren Fleury

Fleury was born on June 29, 1968, in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, the first of Wally and Donna Fleury's three sons. Wally was a hockey player whose dreams of a professional career ended when he broke his leg playing baseball in the summer of 1963; the injury helped fuel a drinking problem.{{harvnb|Malcolm|1997|pp=27–28}} Donna was a quiet, religious woman who battled drug addiction for many years.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=6}} Fleury is of Métis heritage and his grandmother Mary was Cree. Fleury was subject to racism for being of Metis descent throughout his playing career.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewesternstar.com/opinion/columnists/playing-with-fire-the-rise-and-fall-of-theo-fleury-142264/|title=Playing with Fire: the rise and fall of Theo Fleury {{!}} The Western Star|website=www.thewesternstar.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020202/http://www.thewesternstar.com/opinion/columnists/playing-with-fire-the-rise-and-fall-of-theo-fleury-142264/|url-status=live}} The Fleurys lived in Williams Lake, British Columbia, for four years, a period that saw Theo's brother Ted born in 1970, before settling in Russell, Manitoba, by 1973, the year his youngest brother Travis was born.{{harvnb|Malcolm|1997|p=29}} Wally worked as a truck driver and maintenance worker at the arena in Russell.{{harvnb|Malcolm|1997|pp=35–37}} Fleury and his family shared a passion for music. One of his fondest memories when he was a child was listening to his grandfather play the fiddle. Fleury's father was a talented man who could play a variety of instruments, such as the piano and guitar. This passion for music brought happiness and joy to Theoren and his family as it was a part of their Metis heritage growing up.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/09/30/theo-fleury-singing-a-new-tune-after-life-of-pain-dimanno.html|title=Theo Fleury singing a new tune after life of pain: DiManno {{!}} Toronto Star|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=30 September 2015|access-date=2017-03-16|archive-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317143223/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/09/30/theo-fleury-singing-a-new-tune-after-life-of-pain-dimanno.html|url-status=live}}

Always one of the smallest children in his class and without stable supervision at home, Fleury adopted an aggressive posture and later described himself as a bully.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=7}} He turned to hockey as an outlet when he borrowed an old pair of skates and a broken stick to play his first game at the age of five.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=9}} From that point on, he played hockey at every opportunity, often accompanying his father to the arena in Russell in the pre-dawn hours. He was described by his teachers as a determined youth, who would repeat any activity he failed at until he got it right.

Although his mother was a Jehovah's Witness, Fleury was raised as a Catholic. He attended Mass from age 6 to 12, serving as an altar boy until the church's priest died of a heart attack, depriving Fleury of one of his early positive influences.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=11–12}}

Always lacking money and stable home life, Fleury received support from the hockey community, in particular the Peltz family in Russell, who ensured that he and his brothers were fed and bought them new clothes when required.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=19}} In January 1982, Fleury's dreams of playing in the NHL nearly ended at the age of 13 when, during a game, he suffered a deep cut under his arm that severed his brachial artery. He missed nearly a year of contact hockey as a result.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=14–17}} Five months after the incident, the community raised money to send him to the Andy Murray Hockey School in Brandon, Manitoba.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=18}} It was there that Fleury met Graham James, who was working as a scout for the Winnipeg Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). James told Fleury that he had the skill to play in the NHL despite his size, and promised to recruit him to play junior hockey for the Warriors when he was old enough.

Fleury began his junior career in 1983–84 as a 15-year-old with the St. James Canadians of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, scoring 33 goals and 64 points in 22 games, an incredible pace of nearly three points per game.{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10485 |title=Player profile – Theoren Fleury |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-09-19 |archive-date=27 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127164457/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10485 |url-status=live }} In 1984–85 he moved to the Moose Jaw Warriors, who had just relocated from Winnipeg, scoring 29 goals and 75 points in 71 games as a 16-year-old. He improved his totals in each of his four years in the WHL, culminating with a 68-goal, 92-assist season in 1987–88. Fleury's 160 points tied him for the league lead with Joe Sakic, and the two players shared the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's top scorers.{{harvnb|Flett|Watts|2009|pp=40–41}} Fleury's 92 assists and 160 points remain team records; he also holds the Warriors' career records for goals (201), assists (271) and points (472).{{harvnb|Flett|Watts|2009|p=83}} {{as of|2024}}, he remains 10th all-time in WHL scoring.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=83}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/records/minor_record.php |access-date=January 1, 2025 |title=No Title}}

Always one of the smallest players in the game,{{citation |last=Dreger |first=Darren |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=287047 |title=Fleury attempting NHL comeback |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-08-10 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919210909/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=287047 |archive-date=2009-09-19 |url-status=dead }} Fleury learned early that he had to play an unpredictable style of game to survive against players much larger than he was. He found that the best way to protect himself was to intimidate his opponents by playing a feisty, physical game,{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=97–98}} which he said led to many retaliatory penalties and several arguments with his coaches.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=102}} He recorded 235 minutes in penalties in his final year of junior, nearly 100 more than any of the other top 10 WHL scorers.{{harvnb|Flett|Watts|2009|p=173}} Fleury retained this style of play throughout his hockey career, routinely surprising opponents who felt their size was an advantage.{{citation |last=Johnson |first=George |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=1bcc4e36-caa7-4d39-a430-e2956ce242d9&p=2 |title=Back in the saddle |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-09-14 |access-date=2009-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228073734/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=1bcc4e36-caa7-4d39-a430-e2956ce242d9&p=2 |archive-date=2014-02-28 }}

{{Quote box| quote ="The boys are up for the gold medal. Everybody is so tense. Tempers are flying. It's really tough out there... I can't believe it. It's so tense. It's so tense."|align=right |width=30%|source=—Fleury describes atmosphere of Canada's game vs. the Soviet Union to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during the first intermission, prior to the brawl.{{Harvnb|Joyce|2006|p=130}}}}

Fleury twice represented Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships. He first joined the team for the 1987 tournament in Piešťany, Czechoslovakia. The tournament is best remembered for the "Punch-up in Piestany" on January 4, 1987, an infamous bench-clearing brawl between the Canadians and the Soviet Union. Fleury scored the first goal of the game and, as part of his celebration, used his stick to mimic firing a machine gun at the Soviet bench, a move that was criticized by Canadian officials.{{Harvnb|Joyce|2006|p=126}} The brawl began early in the second period with Canada leading 4–2, when Pavel Kostichkin slashed Fleury, leading to a fight between the two. It quickly escalated into a line brawl involving all skaters on the ice, after which the Soviet players left their bench, followed closely by the Canadians.{{citation |url=http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/12742/ |title=The Punch-up in Piestany |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2008-09-19 |archive-date=4 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604043509/http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/12742/ |url-status=live }} Both teams were disqualified from the tournament, costing Fleury and the Canadians a medal – potentially the gold.{{Harvnb|Joyce|2006|p=148}}

The International Ice Hockey Federation suspended all players involved in the brawl from participating in international tournaments for 18 months, though the bans were later reduced to 6 months on appeal. This reduction allowed Fleury to participate in the 1988 tournament in Moscow.{{Harvnb|Joyce|2006|p=215}} He was named captain, finished second in team scoring with eight points in seven games, and was named a tournament all-star as Canada won the gold medal.{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/World_jrs/feature/?fid=987 |title=WJHC history (gold) – 1988 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=2009-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231165911/http://www.tsn.ca/World_jrs/feature/?fid=987 |archive-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=dead }}

Although he scored 129 points for the Warriors in 1986–87, Fleury's small stature led many teams to doubt that he could play in the NHL.{{citation |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=181e67b3-032a-4b57-8b99-ff393049f5ac |title=Theoren Fleury: A timeline |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-08-08 |access-date=2009-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228071057/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=181e67b3-032a-4b57-8b99-ff393049f5ac |archive-date=2014-02-28 }} The Calgary Flames drafted him in the 8th round, 166th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=128}} Upon completing his junior season in 1988, Fleury signed his first professional contract, worth C$415,000, and joined the Flames' International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. He scored seven points in two regular season games, then 16 more in eight playoff games as the Eagles won the Turner Cup championship.

Fleury arrived at the Flames' 1988 training camp {{convert|20|lb|kg}} overweight, and was assigned back to Salt Lake to begin the 1988–89 season.{{citation |title=Fleury Chronology |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=D9}} He averaged nearly two points per game, recording 37 goals and 37 assists to lead the IHL in scoring after 40 games.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=52}} Mired in a slump, the Flames recalled Fleury on January 1, 1989, in the hope he could help their offence.{{citation |last=Kuzma |first=Ben |title=Fleury gets chance to renew acquaintances with Sakic |work=Calgary Herald |date=1989-01-02 |page=D1}} He played his first NHL game against the Quebec Nordiques two nights later and recorded his first points – three assists – on January 5 against the Los Angeles Kings. He scored his first two NHL goals in a 7–2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on January 7.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Little brother shows 'em how |work=Calgary Herald |date=1989-01-08 |page=A1 }} Fleury continued to score, and finished with 34 points in 36 games in his NHL rookie season. He added 11 points in the playoffs, helping the Flames to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

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| footer = Fleury's 1990–91 jersey in the Hockey Hall of Fame (left) and him handling the puck during the alumni game at the 2011 Heritage Classic (right).

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After improving to 33 goals in his first full season, Fleury broke out in 1990–91, scoring 51 goals and 104 points to lead the Flames offensively.{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=150}} He played in the 1991 All-Star Game,{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=24}} scoring a goal in an 11–5 victory by the Campbell Conference over the Wales Conference. Towards the end of the season, Fleury set a league record by scoring three shorthanded goals in one game against the St. Louis Blues. He shared the NHL Plus-Minus Award with Marty McSorley, whom he tied for the league lead with +48.{{Harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=25}} Fleury scored only two goals in the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but after his overtime winner in game six against the Oilers he famously slid the entire length of the ice in jubilation before crashing into the boards as his teammates attempted to catch up to him.{{YouTube|title=Game 6, Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers (04/24/91)|id=ZSRFLUBgvzc}}{{YouTube|title=Theo Fleury OT Goal Game 6 1991 Playoffs Smythe Division Semi-Finals |id=RBKb3_PKe0M}}{{YouTube|title=Wacky Goal Celebration: Theo Fleury goes for a slide|id=P3gA3lkNQ}}{{Cite web |last=Battaglia |first=Chris |date=2015-03-24 |title=5 of the most exuberant goal celebrations in NHL history |url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/719123 |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=theScore.com |language=en}} CBC Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert called Fleury's goal in a dramatic fashion: {{cquote|Messier gives it away! HERE'S FLEURY! LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SERIES... SCORES! And Theoren Fleury and the Flames are in seventh heaven!"}} Unfortunately, the Flames were defeated in game seven by an overtime goal from Esa Tikkanen, which ended their season.{{Citation |title=2009–10 Calgary Flames Media Guide |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |editor=Hanlon, Peter |editor2=Kelso, Sean |page=258}}

Fleury fell back to 33 goals in 1991–92 as the Flames missed the playoffs.{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=149}} That season, he made his second All-Star Game appearance, recording a goal for the Campbell Conference. Fleury finished with over 100 points for the second time in his career in 1992–93 to lead the team in scoring,{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=148}} and set a franchise record by going +9 in a 13–1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on February 10, 1993, in which he scored six points.{{citation |last=Stewart |first=Monte |title=Flames bomb Sharks |work=Calgary Herald |date=1993-02-11 |page=E1}}

The 1994–95 NHL lockout reduced the season to 48 games from 84. During the lockout, Fleury played for Tappara in Finland's top league, the SM-liiga. He recorded 17 points in ten games before the NHL's labour dispute was resolved, bringing him back to Calgary. Late in the season, Fleury recorded two goals and an assist against the Oilers on March 31, 1995, to surpass 500 career points.

Lacking a contract prior to the 1995–96 season, Fleury staged a brief hold-out during training camp before signing a five-year, $12 million deal with the Flames. He agreed to take less money than he could have received on the open market out of loyalty to the franchise that had given him his NHL opportunity.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Loyalty over Loonies |work=Calgary Herald |date=1995-09-23 |page=E1 }} He missed much of the preseason with a stomach ailment, but joined the team for the season opener.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Fleury pencils himself into lineup |work=Calgary Herald |date=1995-10-04 |page=C1 }} Although he felt like somebody was "stabbing a knife in [his] gut every five minutes", Fleury had played every game for the Flames when he revealed in December 1995 that he had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and doctors had finally found the correct medication to control it.{{citation |last=Maki |first=Allan |title=Fleury battling Crohn's |work=Calgary Herald |date=1995-12-28 |page=C7}} Despite the ailment, Fleury led the team in goals, assists, and points,{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=145}} and played in his third All-Star Game, serving as Calgary's only representative.

When Joe Nieuwendyk refused to report to the Flames prior to the 1995–96 season, they named Fleury interim captain. The title was made permanent when Nieuwendyk was traded in December. Fleury was reluctant to assume the captaincy, but did so out of loyalty to the team and because there was nobody else capable of taking on the role.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Fleury steps down as Flames' captain |work=Calgary Herald |date=1997-07-03 |page=E3 }} He relinquished it two seasons later after deciding that it was harming his play and affecting his relationship with his teammates and coach Pierre Pagé.{{citation |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/28/sports/hockey-wearing-hockey-s-badge-leadership-captain-s-c-carries-much-influence-ice.html |title=Wearing hockey's badge of leadership |work=New York Times |date=1997-09-28 |access-date=2009-10-24 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229031540/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/28/sports/hockey-wearing-hockey-s-badge-leadership-captain-s-c-carries-much-influence-ice.html |url-status=live }}

The Flames struggled in 1996–97, finishing last in the Pacific Division and missing the playoffs for only the second time since their arrival in Calgary in 1980.{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=133}} Fleury again led the team in scoring, but his 29 goals were the fewest he had scored in a full season in the NHL. He was the Flames' lone representative at the 1997 All-Star Game. He scored only 27 goals in 1997–98, but increased his point total from 67 to 78 while also leading the team with 197 penalties in minutes.{{harvnb|Hanlon|Kelso|2008|p=143}} On November 29, 1997, Fleury scored his 315th career goal, breaking Nieuwendyk's franchise record. The same day, he was named to Team Canada for the 1998 Winter Olympics.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=McCarthy grounds Ducks |work=Calgary Herald |date=1997-11-30 |page=B5 }} Fleury participated in his fifth All-Star Game that season, but the Flames again missed the playoffs.

{{Quote box| quote ="A piece of my heart left today, but the biggest part is here in Calgary and always will be."|align=right |width=30%|source=—An emotional Fleury discusses the trade that ended his 11-year career with the Flames.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Fleury's gone to Colorado |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=A1 }}}}

On February 19, 1999, he surpassed Al MacInnis as the franchise scoring leader with his 823rd career point.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Emotions run high as Fleury bids adieu |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=D2 }} He held the record for 10 years until surpassed by Jarome Iginla in 2009.{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269423&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main |title=Lightning rain on Iginla's record-setting night |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-03-01 |access-date=2009-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604050005/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269423&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead }} The Flames, who had been struggling financially and were unable to sign Fleury to a new contract, chose to trade him less than two weeks after he broke the record rather than risk losing him to free agency.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Theo last superstar for Calgary |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=D3 }} He was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche on February 28 for René Corbet, Wade Belak, and Robyn Regehr. Although it was expected, the trade nonetheless stunned fans in Calgary.{{citation |last=Slade |first=Daryl |title=They traded the heart of Calgary |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=A1}} His popularity was such that during a game in 1999, after Fleury was sent off the ice to change a bloody jersey, a fan threw his own souvenir jersey over the boards so that Fleury would not miss a shift. He put the jersey on before realizing it was autographed and handed it back.{{citation |last=Konotopetz |first=Gyle |title=Funeral for a friend at the Saddledome |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-02 |page=C2}}

The trade was viewed as another sign that small-market Canadian teams could no longer compete in the NHL.{{citation |last=Joyce |first=Gare |title=Fleury trade sign of times for Canadian clubs |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-01 |page=D5}} The economics of hockey had changed such that the Flames felt that they had to deal their top player despite being just two points out of a playoff spot. However, with Fleury due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the Flames did not want to chance losing him without getting anything in return.{{cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyFleuryTrade/feb28_fla.html |title=Emotional Fleury finds new home with Avalanche |publisher=Canoe.ca |date=February 28, 1999 |author=Curren, Reg |quote=[General manager] Coates didn't want to lose... Fleury to free agency and receive nothing in return... |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724041440/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyFleuryTrade/feb28_fla.html |url-status=usurped }} Following the trade, Fleury said that any team looking to sign him to a new contract would have to pay him $7 million per year. In his autobiography, Playing with Fire, Fleury claims that he was offered $16 million over four years by the Flames before the trade, and countered with an offer of $25 million over five years.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=180}}

Fleury made his debut for the Avalanche the day after the trade and was met with loud cheers from the Denver crowd.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Theo gets rousing Denver greeting |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-02 |page=C3 }} He scored a goal in a 4–3 loss to Edmonton, but also sprained his knee and missed the next two weeks. He had missed only seven games during his 11-year career in Calgary.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Fleury out of action |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-03-03 |page=D1 }} He played in 15 regular-season games for the Avalanche, scoring 10 goals and 14 assists, and another 5 goals and 12 assists in 18 playoff games before the Avalanche were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=192–197}}

The Avalanche chose not to re-sign Fleury, and he joined the New York Rangers on a three-year contract worth $21 million that included a club option for a fourth year at $7 million.{{citation |last=El-Bashir |first=Tarik |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/09/sports/hockey-feeling-wanted-fleury-becomes-a-ranger.html?scp=23&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Feeling wanted, Fleury becomes a Ranger |work=New York Times |date=1999-07-09 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194520/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/09/sports/hockey-feeling-wanted-fleury-becomes-a-ranger.html?scp=23&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} He touched off a wave of anger on signing with the Rangers when he claimed he was unappreciated in Calgary, comments he later stated were directed at the Flames' owners and not the team's fans, who he said always supported him.{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Fleury still cool to Flames |work=Calgary Herald |date=1999-10-01 |page=C3 }} Fleury's first year in Manhattan was a disappointment. He scored only 15 goals in 1999–2000, struggling under the pressure of trying to lead the Rangers into the playoffs and adapting to life in New York. After the season, he voluntarily entered a league-operated program that treats substance abuse and emotional problems, though he denied that either had any effect on his play.{{citation |last=Kennedy |first=Kostya |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1021332/index.htm |title=Fleury of goals |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=2000-12-11 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025095500/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1021332/index.htm |url-status=dead }}

Fleury rebounded to score 30 goals in 2000–01 and participated in his seventh All-Star Game.{{citation |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/01/sports/hockey-fleury-sidelined-indefinitely-for-substance-abuse-treatment.html?scp=22&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury sidelined indefinitely for substance-abuse treatment |work=New York Times |date=2001-03-01 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234144/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/01/sports/hockey-fleury-sidelined-indefinitely-for-substance-abuse-treatment.html?scp=22&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} He scored his 400th NHL goal on November 4, 2000, in a 5–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.{{citation |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/sports/hockey-fleury-s-400th-career-goal-sparks-rangers-to-victory.html?scp=41&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury's 400th goal sparks Rangers to victory |work=New York Times |date=2000-11-05 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174116/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/sports/hockey-fleury-s-400th-career-goal-sparks-rangers-to-victory.html?scp=41&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} Fleury was leading his team, and was fourth in the league, with 74 points in 62 games, when the Rangers announced that he had again entered the league's substance abuse program. The decision ended his season.

Prior to the 2001–02 season Fleury said that he continued to struggle with substance abuse and had difficulty adapting to life in Manhattan after growing up in a Canadian prairie town of 1,500.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/31/sports/plus-hockey-fleury-looks-forward-to-return.html?scp=31&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury looks forward to return |work=New York Times |date=2001-07-31 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092138/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/31/sports/plus-hockey-fleury-looks-forward-to-return.html?scp=31&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} He played all 82 games in 2001–02, but his problems affected his behavior on the ice. After receiving a major and game misconduct penalty in a game against the San Jose Sharks on December 28, he wound up in a confrontation with the Sharks' mascot, S.J. Sharkie, in a hallway of the HP Pavilion, reportedly breaking the rib of the mascot portrayer.{{citation |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/12/29/sharks-look-to-regain-bite/ |title=Sharks look to regain bite |work=Chicago Tribune |date=2002-12-29 |access-date=2011-11-09 |archive-date=25 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125042322/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-12-29/sports/0212290301_1_evgeni-nabokov-and-defenseman-theo-fleury-teemu-selanne |url-status=live }} Fleury himself later downplayed the incident, saying that he "nudged" Sharkie.{{citation |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Theo-Fleury-Yes-to-midget-hookers-no-to-mascot?urn=nhl-77820 |title=Theo Fleury: Yes to midget hookers, no to mascot fighting |work=Yahoo Sports |date=2009-04-18 |access-date=2011-11-08 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827101519/https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Theo-Fleury-Yes-to-midget-hookers-no-to-mascot?urn=nhl-77820 |url-status=live }} Upon taking a penalty in a January 2002 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury left the arena rather than skate to the penalty box. He later apologized to his teammates, claiming he was deeply stressed by family problems.{{citation |last=Yannis |first=Alex |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/sports/hockey-citing-family-problems-fleury-says-he-s-sorry.html |title=Citing family problems, Fleury says he's sorry |work=New York Times |date=2002-01-08 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306041502/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/sports/hockey-citing-family-problems-fleury-says-he-s-sorry.html |url-status=live }} Two weeks later, he was fined $1,000 for making an obscene gesture to fans of the New York Islanders who had been taunting him over his drug use.{{citation |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/24/sports/hockey-fleury-fined-1000-for-flashing-ire-at-fans.html?scp=4&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury fined $1,000 for flashing ire at fans |work=New York Times |date=2002-01-24 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819085935/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/24/sports/hockey-fleury-fined-1000-for-flashing-ire-at-fans.html?scp=4&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} Towards the end of February, he lashed out against the league's officials. He claimed they were not judging him fairly, and threatened to retire. The league dismissed his complaints.{{citation |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/28/sports/hockey-the-rangers-fleury-raves-on.html?scp=5&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=The Rangers' Fleury raves on |work=New York Times |date=2002-02-28 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819125551/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/28/sports/hockey-the-rangers-fleury-raves-on.html?scp=5&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} He did achieve a personal milestone during the season, however: on October 27, 2001, Fleury assisted on a goal by Mike York, scoring the 1,000th point of his NHL career. The Rangers presented him with a silver stick in honour of the achievement.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=234}}

Following the season, the Rangers did not exercise their option, and traded Fleury's playing rights to the San Jose Sharks, which entitled the Sharks to a compensatory draft pick if Fleury signed elsewhere.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/sports/plus-hockey-rangers-give-sharks-the-rights-to-fleury.html?scp=12&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Rangers give Sharks the rights to Fleury |work=New York Times |date=2002-06-27 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070343/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/sports/plus-hockey-rangers-give-sharks-the-rights-to-fleury.html?scp=12&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} He did so with a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/sports/plus-hockey-fleury-signs-deal-with-blackhawks.html?scp=13&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury signs deal with Blackhawks |work=New York Times |date=2002-08-16 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004759/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/sports/plus-hockey-fleury-signs-deal-with-blackhawks.html?scp=13&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} Two days prior to the opening of the 2002–03 season, he was suspended by the NHL for violating the terms of the league's substance abuse program.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/09/sports/plus-pro-hockey-fleury-is-suspended-for-aftercare-slip.html?scp=9&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury is suspended for aftercare slip |work=New York Times |date=2002-10-09 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012141/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/09/sports/plus-pro-hockey-fleury-is-suspended-for-aftercare-slip.html?scp=9&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} The Blackhawks hired one of Fleury's friends, also a recovering alcoholic, to ensure that he attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and abided by the terms of the NHL's aftercare program.{{citation |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1027087/index.htm |title=Minding Theo |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=2002-10-21 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025095511/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1027087/index.htm |url-status=dead }}

Fleury missed the first two months of the season before being reinstated.{{citation |last=Diamos |first=Jason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/11/sports/hockey-nhl-roundup-fleury-comes-to-town-minus-dark-cloud.html?scp=6&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury comes to town minus dark cloud |work=New York Times |date=2002-12-11 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063936/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/11/sports/hockey-nhl-roundup-fleury-comes-to-town-minus-dark-cloud.html?scp=6&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} While out with teammates in January 2003, he was involved in a drunken brawl with bouncers at a strip club in Columbus, Ohio, that left him bloodied; he has no memory of the night and described it as among the lowest points of his life.{{citation |url=http://www.canada.com/CalgaryHerald/news/story.html?id=87d8f552-5b71-4696-9ffc-c1012c1da0de |title=Fleury to release autobiography |work=Calgary Herald |date=2008-10-27 |access-date=2009-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040820/http://www.canada.com/CalgaryHerald/news/story.html?id=87d8f552-5b71-4696-9ffc-c1012c1da0de |archive-date=2012-11-07 }} He was not suspended, but the incident contributed to a collapse in the standings by the Blackhawks, and they placed him on waivers in March.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/sports/nhl-roundup-fleury-is-placed-on-waivers.html?scp=11&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |title=Fleury is placed on waivers |work=New York Times |date=2003-03-09 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112949/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/sports/nhl-roundup-fleury-is-placed-on-waivers.html?scp=11&sq=Fleury&st=nyt |url-status=live }} No team claimed him, and Fleury finished the season with the Blackhawks, recording 12 goals and 21 assists in 54 games. Following the season, in April 2003, he was suspended again by the league for violations of its substance abuse program.{{citation |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2004-11-01-fleury-substance_x.htm |title=Theo Fleury says he's still battling substance abuse |work=USA Today |date=2004-11-01 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=26 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126092100/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2004-11-01-fleury-substance_x.htm |url-status=live }} The suspension ended his NHL career.

In January 2005, Fleury announced that he had joined his cousin Todd Holt and former NHL players Gino Odjick, Sasha Lakovic and Dody Wood in playing for the Horse Lake Thunder of the North Peace Hockey League for the Allan Cup, Canada's national senior amateur championship.{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/fleury-to-play-senior-hockey-in-alberta-1.541307 |title=Fleury to play senior hockey in Alberta |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2005-01-06 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105124241/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/01/05/fleury050105.html |url-status=live }} He also hoped to serve as a role model for kids on the Horse Lake First Nation.{{citation |last=Woodard |first=Dale |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2005/01/06/812391.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115100417/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2005/01/06/812391.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=It's game on for Fleury |work=Grande Prairie Herald-Tribune |date=2005-01-06 |access-date=2009-09-20 }} Hockey Alberta initially ruled that he was ineligible to play senior hockey in 2004–05 because he had been signed to a professional contract during the 2003–04 season. Hockey Alberta denied an appeal, citing a new policy it had put in effect to prevent NHL players from joining senior teams during the 2004–05 NHL lockout.{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=111272&hubname=nhl |title=Theo Fleury's appeal denied |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2005-01-14 |access-date=2009-09-20 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It reversed its decision on a second appeal after the NHL and National Hockey League Players' Association both agreed that Fleury was a free agent, and not a locked-out player. Fleury played his first game for the Thunder on January 22, 2005, scoring a goal and two assists.{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/theo-fleury-nets-3-points-in-his-return-1.534041 |title=Theo Fleury nets 3 points in his return |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2005-01-23 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105124254/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/01/23/fleury050123.html |url-status=live }}

Fleury remained embroiled in controversy at the 2005 Allan Cup tournament. The Thunder were repeatedly accused of paying players despite being an amateur team,{{citation |last=Tychkowski |first=Robert |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005/04/25/1012083.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716154220/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005/04/25/1012083.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 July 2012 |title=Feeling horse-bitten |work=Edmonton Sun |date=2005-04-25 |access-date=2009-09-20 }} and Fleury angrily denied rumours that he was secretly being paid $100,000.{{citation |url=http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Sports/2005/04/22/1007834-sun.html |title=Fleury denies rumour he is getting $100,000 |work=London Free Press |date=2005-04-22 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=21 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721133516/http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Sports/2005/04/22/1007834-sun.html |url-status=usurped }} Tournament fans were extremely hostile towards the Thunder, and after they were eliminated in the semi-finals Fleury accused them of racism and threatened to return his 2002 Olympic gold medal: "The one thing that's really bothered me through this whole thing is the prejudice, still, in this country when it comes to native people. I've seen it first-hand in every building we go into, how these people are treated, and it's absolutely embarrassing to be a Canadian and know that stuff is still going on."{{citation |last=Tychkowski |first=Robert |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005/04/21/1006782.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718052711/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005/04/21/1006782.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=18 July 2012 |title=A Fleury of fury |work=Edmonton Sun |date=2005-04-21 |access-date=2009-09-20 }}

Fleury was convinced by a friend to move to the United Kingdom to play with the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for the 2005–06 season.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=305}} He scored three goals and added four assists and a fight in his first game, against the Edinburgh Capitals.{{citation |last=Kennedy |first=Kostaya |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1114652/index.htm |title=No troubles in Belfast |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=2005-12-12 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227223051/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1114652/index.htm |url-status=dead }} He scored 22 goals and 52 assists in 34 games,{{citation |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1712 |title=Theoren Fleury profile |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=11 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811140607/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1712 |url-status=live }} as Belfast won the regular season league title.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=306}} Described as the "most talented" player ever to play in the United Kingdom, Fleury was named the EIHL's Player of the Year and voted a first team All-Star by the British Ice Hockey Writers Association.{{citation |url=http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/news/news_bihwa.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070817002422/http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/news/news_bihwa.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-08-17 |title=BIHWA Awards and Hall of Fame |publisher=Elite Ice Hockey League |date=2006-04-04 |access-date=2010-01-16}} Fleury argued with visiting fans,{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=150153&hubname=nhl |title=Fleury confronts fans, ejected in England |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2006-01-10 |access-date=2009-09-20 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} as well as officials, which led him not to return to Belfast in 2006–07.{{citation |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2356682 |title=Fleury vows he won't 'return to this league' |publisher=ESPN |date=2006-03-06 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111104928/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2356682 |url-status=live }}

In late 2008, Fleury joined his brother Ted with the Steinbach North Stars in a second bid to win the Allan Cup.{{citation |last=Friesen |first=Paul |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Friesen/2008/11/21/7488316-sun.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801082937/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Friesen/2008/11/21/7488316-sun.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=1 August 2012 |title=Fleury far from done |work=Winnipeg Sun |date=2008-11-21 |access-date=2009-09-23 }} He played 13 league games, scoring eight goals and 19 assists.{{citation|url=http://www.allancup2009.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=60 |title=Steinbach North Stars statistics |publisher=Steinbach North Stars Hockey Club |access-date=2009-09-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422004900/http://www.allancup2009.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=60 |archive-date=April 22, 2009 }} At the 2009 Allan Cup tournament, he recorded a goal and an assist to lead the host North Stars to a 5–0 win in their opening game,{{citation |last=Wiebe |first=Ken |url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/04/14/9108266.html |title=Fleury delivers in North Stars win |work=Winnipeg Sun |date=2009-04-15 |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226200858/http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/04/14/9108266.html |url-status=live }} and finished tied for the lead in tournament scoring at seven points.{{citation |url=http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=442&seasonid=3928 |title=2009 Allan Cup scoring leaders |publisher=Pointstreak |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114212942/http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=442&seasonid=3928 |url-status=live }} The North Stars lost the semi-finals to the South East Prairie Thunder, 4–2.{{citation |url=http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoreboard.html?leagueid=442&seasonid=3928 |title=2009 Allan Cup scoreboard |publisher=Pointstreak |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=29 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129031914/http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoreboard.html?leagueid=442 |url-status=live }}

File:Fleury-Iginla.png prior to a game. Fleury was the Flames' all-time scoring leader for ten years until he was passed by Iginla in 2009.| alt=A player in full uniform but without a helmet stands to the right of a teammate who is crouched over. Both players are looking to their left as several others skate in the background.]]

Unhappy with how his NHL career ended, Fleury hired a personal trainer in February 2009 and began an attempt to return to the NHL. By August, he petitioned Commissioner Gary Bettman to lift his suspension. He was reinstated on September 10 following a meeting with Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and league doctors.{{citation |last=Hall |first=Vicki |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=962e8690-587f-4a00-b57a-940d5881f7ae |title=Bettman clears Fleury to return to NHL |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-09-10 |access-date=2009-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228073248/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=962e8690-587f-4a00-b57a-940d5881f7ae |archive-date=2014-02-28 }} Fleury then accepted a try-out offer from the Flames.{{citation |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498338 |title=Flames offer Theo Fleury a try-out |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2009-09-12 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=15 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915174254/http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498338 |url-status=live }} He said he wanted to prove to himself that he could still play at the NHL level, though his skeptics pointed to his child support payments and the failure of his concrete business, as well as the planned release of his autobiography, and argued Fleury's comeback was financially motivated.{{cite news |last=Francis |first=Eric |title=Forecast calling for Fleury |work=Calgary Sun |date=2009-09-12 |page=4 }}

He made his return to the NHL in an exhibition game in Calgary against the New York Islanders on September 17 on a line with Daymond Langkow and Nigel Dawes.{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291363 |title=Fleury looking forward to playing first game with Flames |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922214201/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291363 |archive-date=2009-09-22 |url-status=dead }} Fleury was met with loud cheers throughout the game, and scored the only goal in a shootout to give the Flames a 5–4 win. After the game, he saluted the crowd as the fans chanted "Theo! Theo! Theo!"{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291531 |title=Fleury marks comeback with shootout winner against Islanders |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922214332/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291531 |archive-date=2009-09-22 |url-status=dead }} Three nights later, he scored a goal and an assist in a 5–2 victory over the Florida Panthers.{{citation |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291994 |title=Fleury contributes goal, assist as Flames beat Panthers |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-09-20 |access-date=2009-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924164120/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=291994 |archive-date=2009-09-24 |url-status=dead }}

Fleury played four exhibition games, scoring four points, before being released by the Flames. General Manager Darryl Sutter expressed his pride in Fleury's attempt and commended his effort, but decided he was not one of the top six wingers in camp, which Sutter and Fleury had agreed was a condition of the tryout continuing.{{citation |url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=292512 |title=Fleury Released By Flames; Will Address Future On Monday |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2009-09-25 |access-date=2009-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928031420/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=292512 |archive-date=2009-09-28 |url-status=dead }} On September 28, 2009, Fleury announced his retirement at a news conference at the Saddledome. He thanked the Flames for allowing him to attempt the comeback, and expressed satisfaction at how his career ended. "I get to retire a Calgary Flame. I HAD to retire a Calgary Flame. It's been a long journey. It's time to put down some roots. And there's no better place than here," said Fleury of his decision not to seek an offer from another team.{{citation|last=Johnson |first=George |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Fleury+says+knew+over/2044522/story.html |title=Fleury says he 'knew it was over' |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-09-28 |access-date=2009-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003013959/http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Fleury%2Bsays%2Bknew%2Bover/2044522/story.html |archive-date=2009-10-03 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

Fleury made his debut with the Canadian senior team at the 1990 Ice Hockey World Championships, scoring 11 points in nine games for the fourth-place Canadians. He returned the following year despite a knee injury, helping Canada win the silver medal at the 1991 tournament.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=108}} His 51-goal NHL season in 1990–91 also earned Fleury a spot at the 1991 Canada Cup, where he scored a goal and four assists in seven games for the tournament champion Canadians.{{citation |url=http://www.hhof.com/HTML/GamesSummaryCCUP1991.shtml |title=Canada Cup – 1991 summary |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906160510/http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummaryCCUP1991.shtml |archive-date=2008-09-06 }} Five years later, he played in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the successor to the Canada Cup. He finished fourth in the tournament with four goals,{{citation |url=http://www.hhof.com/html/StatLeadersWCUP1996.shtml |title=1996 World Cup statistical leaders |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214061943/http://www.hhof.com/html/StatLeadersWCUP1996.shtml |archive-date=2005-02-14 }} but Canada finished in second place after giving up four goals in the final four minutes of the championship game against the American team.{{citation|url=http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummaryWCUP1996.shtml |title=World Cup of Hockey 1996 summary |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213221632/http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummaryWCUP1996.shtml |archive-date=2005-02-13 }}

National Hockey League players were first allowed to participate in the Olympic ice hockey tournament at the 1998 games. Invited to join Canada's "Dream Team", Fleury described his selection as a highlight of his life.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Fleury's state is global after getting call from Canada |work=Calgary Herald |date=1997-11-30 |page=B1 }} He scored a goal for Canada, who lost their semi-final match-up against the Czech Republic in a shootout and failed to medal.{{citation |last=Farber |first=Michael |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012122/index.htm |title=Was it worth it? |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=1998-03-02 |access-date=2009-10-10 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025121626/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012122/index.htm |url-status=dead }} Four years later, Fleury was invited by General Manager Wayne Gretzky to participate in Canada's selection camp for the 2002 Olympics. The invitation was controversial, as his behavioural and substance abuse issues had become increasingly public in previous months.{{citation |last=Sportak |first=Randy |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/07/25/canada_olympics_slam/ |title=Depth Charge |publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated |date=2001-07-25 |access-date=2009-10-10 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025121639/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/07/25/canada_olympics_slam/ |url-status=dead }} Fleury wanted to justify Gretzky's support and, knowing that he would be removed from consideration if he failed, refrained from drinking or taking drugs during the 2001–02 NHL season, later describing himself as a "dry drunk".{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=237}} He earned a spot on the team and recorded two assists in six games as the Canadian hockey team won its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years.{{citation |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |title=Stand on guard for thee |publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated |date=2002-02-24 |access-date=2009-10-10 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726194643/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/24/usa_canada_ap/ |url-status=dead }} Fleury considers the championship to be the pinnacle of his career.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=246}}

With the help of Kirstie McLellan Day, Fleury wrote his autobiography, Playing with Fire, which was released on October 16, 2009. He wrote he was sexually abused by hockey coach Graham James during a two-year period. While he stated he "doesn't want to become the poster boy for abuse by James", Fleury hoped speaking out might make it easier for other childhood sexual abuse victims to come forward, and get help.{{citation |title=Fleury tell-all book chronicles sexual abuse |date=2009-10-09 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/fleury-tell-all-book-chronicles-sexual-abuse-1.782023 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2009-10-10 |archive-date=16 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016012530/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/10/09/sp-fleury-tell-all.html |url-status=live }} The book became the top-selling non-fiction book in Canada; without help, he and his wife were unable to keep up with the mail they were receiving.{{citation |last=MacLeod |first=Meredith |title=Ice and fire: hockey star Fleury inspires as author, role model |date=2009-10-30 |url=http://www.thespec.com/News/Business/article/663459 |work=Hamilton Spectator |access-date=2009-11-01 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118111048/http://www.thespec.com/News/Business/article/663459 |url-status=dead }} It is the second book about Fleury's life, following Fury, released in 1997, which did not discuss many of the problems he was facing at the time.{{citation |last=Johnson |first=George |title=Fleury's no longer playing with fire |date=2009-09-18 |url=http://www.thetelegram.com/Sports/Hockey/2009-09-18/article-1436505/Fleurys-no-longer-playing-with-fire/1 |work=The Telegram |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306045040/http://www.thetelegram.com/Sports/Hockey/2009-09-18/article-1436505/Fleurys-no-longer-playing-with-fire/1 |access-date=2016-03-04 |archive-date=2016-03-06 |url-status=dead}} Playing with Fire became the top seller on Amazon.ca within a week of its release, and Fleury stated that he had been contacted by several sexual abuse victims who were motivated by his book to seek help.{{citation |title=Fleury's book helping others |date=2009-10-19 |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/fleury-s-book-helping-others-1.445058 |publisher=CTV Calgary |access-date=2009-10-20 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012031250/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/fleury-s-book-helping-others-1.445058 |url-status=live }}

He told CBC in October 2009 he was contemplating a criminal complaint against James,{{citation |title=Fleury may press charges against James |date=2009-10-14 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/fleury-may-press-charges-against-james-1.815526?ref=rss |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2009-10-20 |archive-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302200654/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/fleury-may-press-charges-against-james-1.815526?ref=rss |url-status=live }} and was volunteering with an organization dedicated to helping male sexual abuse victims. Sheldon Kennedy, another victim of James, encouraged Fleury to press charges.{{cite web |last=Komarnicki |first=Jamie |date=2009-10-10 |title=Abuse victim Kennedy hopes Fleury will 'follow through' with charges |url=https://theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=d446fad2-01e0-45ec-bca2-c61b6f3dcf0a&sponsor= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301071026/http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=d446fad2-01e0-45ec-bca2-c61b6f3dcf0a&sponsor= |archive-date=2015-03-01 |access-date=2010-01-14 |work=Calgary Herald}} In January 2010, investigators with the Winnipeg Police Service began an investigation after Fleury met with officers to file a complaint.{{cite web |last=Dreger |first=Darren |date=2010-01-14 |title=Fleury meets with police regarding abuse by James |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=306136 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117075239/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=306136 |archive-date=2010-01-17 |access-date=2010-01-14 |publisher=The Sports Network}} James plead guilty to charges stemming from his abuse of Fleury and his cousin Todd Holt.{{cite news |date=2011-12-07 |title=Graham James pleads guilty to sex assaults |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/graham-james-pleads-guilty-to-sex-assaults-1.1048975 |access-date=2011-12-07 |archive-date=10 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110132800/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2011/12/07/mb-graham-james-court-winnipeg.html |url-status=live }} James was sentenced to two years in prison, a decision which sparked outrage across Canada for its perceived leniency. Fleury praised the response by Canadians and called for harsher punishments for sexual predators.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=George |date=2012-03-21 |title=Canadians' 'outrage' over Graham James sex-abuse sentence a positive step, says victim Theo Fleury |work=Calgary Herald |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/Canadians+outrage+over+Graham+James+abuse+sentence+positive+step+says+victim+Theo+Fleury/6331801/story.html#ixzz1plPxbwsQ |access-date=2012-03-21}} {{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} Fleury has shared his story as a motivational speaker.{{cite web |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |date=2010-05-16 |title=Hockey hero trades career on ice for new life behind the podium |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Hockey+hero+trades+career+life+behind+podium/3034190/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519144102/http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Hockey%2Bhero%2Btrades%2Bcareer%2Blife%2Bbehind%2Bpodium/3034190/story.html |archive-date=2010-05-19 |access-date=2010-05-16 |work=Calgary Herald}}

McLellan Day adapted the autobiography into a one-man play, entitled Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story, which was produced by Alberta Theatre Projects in Calgary in 2012.{{cite web |title=Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story |url=http://www.atplive.com/The-Shows/PlayingWithFire/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914114849/http://www.atplive.com/The-Shows/PlayingWithFire/index.html |archive-date=2011-09-14 |access-date=2011-06-19 |publisher=Alberta Theatre Projects}} Fleury and his autobiography were also the subject of a 2012 documentary by HBO Canada.{{cite news |last=Doyle |first=John |date=2012-05-09 |title=Theo Fleury: All that rage and fury explained |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/theo-fleury-all-that-rage-and-fury-explained/article4107306/ |access-date=2013-07-12 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616144226/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/theo-fleury-all-that-rage-and-fury-explained/article4107306/ |url-status=live }}

File:Theoren Fleury Vipers.JPG in 2008.| alt=Half-length view of a person in his early 40s. He is standing upright with his arms folded across his chest. He is wearing a black and maroon coat and a baseball cap.]]

Fleury has been open about his struggles against drug and alcohol addictions, and his own experiences with sexual abuse. He is also an advocate for youth victims of sexual abuse and a supporter of improving access to trauma treatments, addictions programs and mental health services.{{Cite web |last=Beamish |first=Laura |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Theo Fleury visits Fort McMurray, raises awareness about childhood sexual trauma |url=https://fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/local-news/theo-fleury-visits-fort-mcmurray-raises-awareness-about-childhood-sexual-trauma |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Fort McMurray Today |language=en-CA |archive-date=13 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113055309/https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/local-news/theo-fleury-visits-fort-mcmurray-raises-awareness-about-childhood-sexual-trauma }}{{Cite web |last=Braid |first=Don |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Braid: Danielle Smith's campaign pokes a stick into the extremist bonfire |url=https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/braid-danielle-smiths-campaign-pokes-a-stick-into-the-extremist-bonfire |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Calgary Herald |language=en-CA |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715123119/https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/braid-danielle-smiths-campaign-pokes-a-stick-into-the-extremist-bonfire }}

In his autobiography, he blamed the sexual abuse for turning him into a "raging, alcoholic lunatic",{{citation |last=Maki |first=Allan |title=Fleury opens up about sexual abuse |date=2009-10-10 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/fleury-opens-up-about-sexual-abuse/article1319778/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=2009-10-20}} and claimed to have placed a loaded gun in his mouth and contemplated suicide in 2004.{{citation |title=Fleury pondered suicide, autobiography reveals |date=2009-10-14 |url=https://calgaryherald.com/health/Fleury+pondered+suicide+autobiography+reveals/2098274/story.html |work=Calgary Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016193825/http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Fleury%2Bpondered%2Bsuicide%2Bautobiography%2Breveals/2098274/story.html |access-date=2009-10-20 |archive-date=2009-10-16 |url-status=dead}} He revealed most of his income had been spent on alcohol, drugs, gambling and women.{{citation |last=MacIntyre |first=Iain |title=Smarter, fitter and sober Fleury playing with fire again |date=2009-09-22 |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=646adc8d-4467-4a27-886d-f96fee9091d9 |work=Vancouver Sun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516123252/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=646adc8d-4467-4a27-886d-f96fee9091d9 |access-date=2009-11-01 |archive-date=2014-05-16 |url-status=dead}}

Fleury said he failed 13 consecutive drug tests while playing for the Rangers, but the NHL did not want to suspend him because he was a top scorer. The league disputed this claim, and stated that its substance abuse program functioned appropriately.{{citation |last=Klein |first=Jeff Z. |title=N.H.L. answers Fleury's drug test allegations |date=2009-10-14 |url=http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/wednesdays-news-of-hockey-91409-nhl-answers-fleurys-drug-test-allegations/ |work=New York Times |access-date=2009-10-20 |archive-date=19 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019013903/http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/wednesdays-news-of-hockey-91409-nhl-answers-fleurys-drug-test-allegations/ |url-status=live }}

Fleury has organized or participated in numerous charitable causes. He launched a hockey school in the mid-1990s that ran for seven years in Calgary and another eight in Russell, Manitoba and donated the proceeds to minor hockey associations.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=116–118}}

Following his diagnosis with Crohn's disease in 1995, Fleury joined with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada to host an annual golf tournament in Calgary. The event has raised over $1 million,{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=312}} and is one of the organization's largest fundraising events in the Calgary area.{{citation |title=About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) |url=http://mmccfc.golfreg.com/pages/index.cfm?PageID=36549 |publisher=Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711105014/http://mmccfc.golfreg.com/pages/index.cfm?PageID=36549 |url-status=dead }} He participates in Flames Alumni events and volunteers with the Calgary Dream Centre, which helps people overcome addictions.{{Harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=311–312}}

Fleury was a participant on the second season of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation figure skating reality show Battle of the Blades, aired in the fall of 2010, and was donating his winnings to The Men's Project, a charity that provides support for men abused in childhood.{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Bill |date=2010-09-07 |title=Fleury ready for different battle |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/09/07/15266786.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713173800/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/09/07/15266786.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 July 2012 |access-date=2010-09-09 |publisher=Slam! Sports }} His partner was Jamie Salé and the pair finished 5th.

Fleury said in a November 2004 interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation he was still battling the drug and alcohol addictions that had ended his NHL career a year and a half earlier.{{citation |title=I'm not sober: Theoren Fleury |date=2004-11-02 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/i-m-not-sober-theo-fleury-1.512052 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105125834/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/11/01/theo_fleury041101.html |url-status=live }} On September 18, 2005, he became sober and credited the achievement to help from his second wife, Jennifer. Fleury feared Jennifer's frustrations with his addictions would cost him the relationship. With her help, he was able to quit alcohol and drug abuse.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|pp=303–304}}

Fleury and Jennifer met when he was playing for Horse Lake in 2005. They married one year later and have a daughter, Skylah.{{citation |last=Francis |first=Eric |title='She's my winger' |date=2009-09-17 |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/columnists/eric_francis/2009/09/17/10951351-sun.html |work=Calgary Sun |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=9 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909054214/http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/columnists/eric_francis/2009/09/17/10951351-sun.html |url-status=live }} Fleury also has a son and daughter, Beaux and Tatym, with his first wife, Veronica,{{citation |last=Dellapina |first=John |title=The family man |date=2001-11-22 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/family-man-losing-fleury-back-favorite-team-article-1.933017?pgno=1 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=2009-09-23 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228061001/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/family-man-losing-fleury-back-favorite-team-article-1.933017?pgno=1 |url-status=live }} and a son, Josh, born in 1987 to his high school girlfriend, Shannon.{{harvnb|Fleury|McLellan Day|2009|p=34}}

Fleury and Jamie Salé host The Theo & Jamie Show: Fire and Ice, an online program with the Calgary-based conservative media outlet Canadians for Truth.{{cite web |date=2022 |title=Canadians for Truth: Freedom & Justice |url=https://www.canadiansfortruth.ca/ |access-date=26 September 2022 |publisher=Truth in Media |location=SK |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926102728/https://www.canadiansfortruth.ca/ |url-status=live }} Politically, Fleury is a conservative although he has previously voted for the Liberal Party in past federal elections.{{citation |url=https://twitter.com/theofleury14/status/1134995198642049025?lang=en |title=I'm a Conservative and I know that I'm a Canadian truly through and through. This kind of bs Talk has to stop and stop now!!!!! |first=Theo |last=Theury |publisher=Twitter |date=June 1, 2019 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106024517/https://twitter.com/theofleury14/status/1134995198642049025?lang=en |url-status=live }}{{citation |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3825620/dueling-endorsements-dominate-final-day-of-campaigning-before-ucp-leadership-vote/ |title=Duelling endorsements dominate final day of campaigning before UCP leadership vote |first=John |last=Himpe |publisher=Global News |date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819225333/https://globalnews.ca/news/3825620/dueling-endorsements-dominate-final-day-of-campaigning-before-ucp-leadership-vote/ |url-status=live }}

Fleury is a skeptic of COVID-19 vaccines. When reports about the virus were first made in late 2019, Fleury said he believed the virus was "complete bullshit." He has criticized liberal and conservative politicians who supported mask and vaccine mandates, including Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Rick |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Bell: Toews and Kenney pal slam Smith's Alberta sovereignty plan |url=https://calgarysun.com/opinion/columnists/bell-toews-and-kenney-pal-slam-smiths-alberta-sovereignty-plan |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Calgary Sun |language=en-CA |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714131814/https://calgarysun.com/opinion/columnists/bell-toews-and-kenney-pal-slam-smiths-alberta-sovereignty-plan }}{{Cite web |last=Mosleh |first=Omar |date=2022-05-18 |title=Here's what politicians, experts — and the other Jason Kenney — are saying about the Alberta premier stepping down |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/05/18/heres-what-politicians-experts-and-the-other-jason-kenney-are-saying-about-the-alberta-premier-stepping-down.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114191331/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/05/18/heres-what-politicians-experts-and-the-other-jason-kenney-are-saying-about-the-alberta-premier-stepping-down.html }} He has also promoted ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 and criticised the mainstream media for a supposed "absolute all out disinformation campaign" over its use.{{Cite web |date=8 September 2021 |title=University scolds former NHLer Theo Fleury for 'reprehensible' remarks against vaccine passports |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/theo-fleury-covid-19-passports-1.6167871 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=CBC News |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728000132/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/theo-fleury-covid-19-passports-1.6167871 |url-status=live }}

He told Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Canada is an "authoritarian" country and that Trudeau is controlled by "five entities." In a separate interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham in January 2022, he repeated his belief that Trudeau was being controlled by unnamed foreign entities and hoped the Canada convoy protest would lead to a "revolution."{{Cite web |last=Ingraham |first=Laura |date=2022-01-26 |title=Canadian NHL legend with COVID has a warning for America {{!}} Fox News Video |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6293677812001 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114191331/https://www.foxnews.com/video/6293677812001 }}

In 2021, Brandon University issued a statement criticizing Fleury for saying on Twitter that COVID-19 vaccine passports would be used by pedophiles to track children, calling the comment "a stain on his legacy." The university had previously granted Fleury an honorary degree in 2015.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=Brandon University says Theo Fleury's recent vaccine comments a 'stain on his legacy' |url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/brandon-university-says-theo-fleury-s-recent-vaccine-comments-a-stain-on-his-legacy-1.5576949 |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=CTV News Winnipeg |publisher=The Canadian Press |language=en |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908152232/https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/brandon-university-says-theo-fleury-s-recent-vaccine-comments-a-stain-on-his-legacy-1.5576949 |url-status=live }} Fleury has also promoted the "Great Reset" conspiracy theory.{{cite tweet|number=1493350099971309575|user=TheoFleury14|title=You are now witnessing the full plan of the World Economic Forums Great Reset. We warned you and now it's here. Congrats|accessdate=2022-02-15|language=en|date=14 February 2022}}

In 2018, Fleury was a guest speaker at a fundraising event for the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.{{citation |author= |title=Theo Fleury to speak at PC Party Spring Fundraiser |date=April 3, 2018 |url=https://www.peipc.ca/theo_fleury_to_speak_at_pc_party_spring_fundraiser |publisher=Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416111307/https://www.peipc.ca/theo_fleury_to_speak_at_pc_party_spring_fundraiser |url-status=dead }} He is a member of the United Conservative Party and endorsed Brian Jean for party leadership in 2017.{{citation |last=Wood |first=James |title=Jean gets assist from Fleury; Kenney ices more Conservative MPs |date=October 25, 2017 |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/jean-and-kenney-unveil-endorsements |publisher=Calgary Herald |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025235827/http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/jean-and-kenney-unveil-endorsements |url-status=live }} He endorsed Danielle Smith during the 2022 UCP leadership race. In the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, Fleury endorsed and joined the campaign of Joseph Bourgault.{{cite tweet|number=1514696657115385872|user=TheoFleury14|title=Hey everybody wanted to officially announce today that I am joining Joseph Bourgault campaign|author-link=Theoren Fleury|date=14 April 2022|access-date=14 April 2022|last=Fleury|first=Theoren|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Taylor-Vaisey |first1=Nick |last2=Forrest |first2=Maura |date=26 April 2022 |title=Canada's Next Great Inquiry |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook/2022/04/26/canadas-next-great-inquiry-00027693 |access-date=26 April 2022 |website=Politico |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426105113/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook/2022/04/26/canadas-next-great-inquiry-00027693 |url-status=live }}

During the 2023 wildfires across Canada, Fleury claimed that progressives were weaponizing the wildfires to force "climate lockdowns" onto the masses.{{Cite web |last=Ling |first=Justin |date=2023-06-08 |title=Denialists Are Blaming Anything but Climate for Canada's Fires |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/06/08/air-quality-canada-wildfire-smog-fire/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620033653/https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/06/08/air-quality-canada-wildfire-smog-fire/ |url-status=live }}

In 1994, Fleury joined a group that involved his former junior coach, Graham James, fellow NHL player Joe Sakic, and professional wrestler Bret Hart as a minority owner of the expansion Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.{{citation |last=Tucker |first=Larry |title=Method to this madness |date=1994-06-24 |work=Calgary Herald |page=62}} He sold his share of the team to the Flames in 1997 in the aftermath of James' conviction for sexually abusing Sheldon Kennedy and another player.{{citation |last=Board |first=Mike |title=Flames take shot at owning Hitmen |date=1997-06-14 |work=Calgary Herald |page=E1}}

After returning from the United Kingdom, he operated Fleury's Concrete Coatings, a concrete sealing business he started with his wife Jennifer and brother Travis, until it closed in 2009.{{citation |last=Francis |first=Eric |title=Talk of Theo signing heats up |date=2009-09-11 |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/columnists/eric_francis/2009/09/11/10835541-sun.html |work=Calgary Sun |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=23 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923224840/http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/columnists/eric_francis/2009/09/11/10835541-sun.html |url-status=live }} He filmed a pilot episode in 2007 for a reality TV series based on his concrete business called Theoren Fleury: Rock Solid: "We want to show people that if you have a dream, anything is possible with a little ambition," Fleury said of the show.{{citation |last=Doody |first=Kelly |title=Rogers bash lives up to Christmas billing |date=2007-12-15 |url=http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2007/12/15/4726246-sun.html |work=Calgary Sun |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070623032604/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2007/12/15/4726246-sun.html |access-date=2008-09-12 |archive-date=June 23, 2007 |url-status=usurped}} It was not picked up by any network.

The 2008 launch of clothing line "FAKE" (Fleury's Artistic Kustom Enterprises) led him to approach the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League in the hope of convincing them to use his brand of practice jerseys. The conversation led to talk of Fleury playing a game for the Vipers as a publicity stunt.{{citation |last=McIntyre |first=Heather |title=Fleury will be a Viper for a day |date=2008-05-23 |url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=c370a204-3c51-4353-a1f6-d80a37091886 |work=Calgary Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105030128/http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=c370a204-3c51-4353-a1f6-d80a37091886 |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=2012-11-05 |url-status=dead}}

He made his professional baseball debut on August 9, 2008, at the age of 40, hitting a single in a pinch-hit appearance against the Yuma Scorpions. He started the second game at left field and struck out twice before he was replaced. "I've had so many things happen in my life already that I sometimes surprise myself with the things I've done, the things I've accomplished. This was just another one of those days," Fleury said of his appearance with the Vipers.{{citation |last=Down |first=John |title=Fleury's a big hit |date=2008-08-10 |work=Calgary Herald |page=F5}}

In September 2015, it was announced through Fleury's Twitter he was working on a country music record to be released in the fall of 2015. He released his first single titled "My Life's Been a Country Song" and it reached more than 20,000 plays on SoundCloud(2015-09-10)[https://soundcloud.com/eonemusiccanada/theo-fleury-my-lifes-been-a-country-song "My Life's Been a Country Song-Official Stream"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210071318/https://soundcloud.com/eonemusiccanada/theo-fleury-my-lifes-been-a-country-song |date=10 February 2016 }}.eOne Music Canada. Retrieved 2016-02-04. within the first 24 hours of being released. His debut record, I Am Who I Am, was released on October 16, 2015, through eOne Music Canada.

Fleury said his country music ambitions had been a six-year process and he received vocal and performance training from music industry professionals.Duhatscheck, Eric (2015-10-05). [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/theo-fleurys-third-act-budding-country-singer/article26676773/ "Theo Fleury's third act: Budding country singer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229203056/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/theo-fleurys-third-act-budding-country-singer/article26676773/ |date=29 December 2016 }}. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-02-04. He collaborated with long-time friends Phil Deschambault and Paddy McCallion and together wrote more than 30 songs worth of material that would be later cut to ten songs for the album.Ramsay, Melissa (2015-09-21). [http://globalnews.ca/news/2231749/theo-fleury-releases-debut-country-album-i-am-what-i-am/ "Theo Fleury releases debut Country album ‘I Am Who I Am’"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310235613/http://globalnews.ca/news/2231749/theo-fleury-releases-debut-country-album-i-am-what-i-am/ |date=10 March 2016 }}. Global News. Retrieved 2016-02-04.

In 2017, Fleury wrote a song, "Longshot", for the video game Madden NFL 18{{'s}} story mode of the same name.{{cite magazine|last=Schlager|first=Brandon|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/madden-18-theo-fleury-longshot-song-story-mode-phil-deschambault-flames/m5uhzm051fu31iy2pfgripvuv|title=How Theo Fleury made it into 'Madden NFL 18'|magazine=Sporting News|date=August 26, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907080355/http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/madden-18-theo-fleury-longshot-song-story-mode-phil-deschambault-flames/m5uhzm051fu31iy2pfgripvuv|url-status=dead}}

Aside from Fleury's hockey accomplishments, he has also been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award and the Queen's Jubilee Medallion.{{Cite web|url=https://theofleury14.com/|title=Theo Fleury 14|website=Theo Fleury 14|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-16|archive-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317145012/https://theofleury14.com/|url-status=dead}} The Medallion is awarded to those individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada.{{Cite news|url=https://theofleury14.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal/|title=Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal|date=2012-10-03|work=Theo Fleury 14|access-date=2017-03-16|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317145549/https://theofleury14.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal/|archive-date=2017-03-17}} Along with these awards Fleury has also received the Aboriginal Inspire Award. Fleury has also received the honorary Siksika Nation Chief and an honorary doctorate in science from the University of Guelph-Humber for outstanding contributions to the mental health of Canadians.{{Cite web|url=http://keynotespeakerscanada.ca/speaker/theo-fleury|title=Theo Fleury|last=Canada|first=Keynote Speakers|date=2015-02-14|website=keynotespeakerscanada.ca|language=en|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081641/http://keynotespeakerscanada.ca/speaker/theo-fleury|archive-date=2018-03-22|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Citation |last1=Flett |first1=Cory |last2=Watts |first2=Jessie |title=2008–09 WHL Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |year=2009}}
• {{Citation |last1=Fleury |first1=Theoren |last2=McLellan Day |first2=Kirstie |year=2009 |title=Playing with Fire |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55468-239-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/playingwithfireh00theo }}
• {{Citation |title=2008–09 Calgary Flames Media Guide |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |last1=Hanlon |first1=Peter |last2=Kelso |first2=Sean |url=http://downloads.flames.nhl.com/other/2008CalgaryFlamesMediaGuide_web.pdf |year=2008 |location=Calgary |access-date=2009-09-20 |archive-date=2011-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815015255/http://downloads.flames.nhl.com/other/2008CalgaryFlamesMediaGuide_web.pdf |url-status=dead }}
• {{Citation |last=Joyce|first=Gare|year=2006|title=When the Lights Went Out|publisher=Random House |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-385-66275-8}}
• {{Citation |last=Malcolm |first=Andrew H. |year=1997 |title=Fury: Inside the life of Theoren Fleury |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=0-7710-5655-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/furyinsidelifeof00malc }}
• Career statistics: {{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10485 |title=Player profile – Theoren Fleury |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-09-19}}

• {{icehockeystats|legends=10485}}
• {{IMDb name|0282231}}
• {{baseballstats|brm=fleury001the}}
• {{official website|http://www.theofleury14.com}}

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{{succession box | before = Joe Nieuwendyk | title = Calgary Flames captain | years = 1995–97 | after = Todd Simpson}}

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{{Battle of the Blades Season 2}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fleury, Theoren}}

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