Report: Theo Fleury Wants to Play

Despite only being five-foot-six, forward Theo Fleury created a plethora of highlights over a stellar NHL playing career.

Unfortunately, that career was cut short. In 2003, he was suspended indefinitely by the NHL, unable to recover from a long history of substance abuse. Since he was in his mid-30s, it was assumed he would fade away and never play in the NHL again.

Fleury has other ideas. TSN's Darren Dreger reports Fleury is attempting a comeback.

After playing senior hockey last season, Fleury decided in February he was fit enough to give the NHL another try, so he hired a personal trainer and has been working diligently since.

Those close to him say he didn't leave the National Hockey League the way he wanted, which is fueling his desire to return.

The 41-year-old has been sober for almost four years and has been skating daily in Calgary in the hope that an NHL team is willing to invite him to training camp.

Because of the indefinite suspension, Fleury will have to work with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on his comeback effort.

Fleury was a fixture in the NHL, as well as international play. He represented Canada eight times in competitions over his career, including two Olympics and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

While he has 455 NHL regular-season goals to his credit, his most famous tally happened during a 1991 playoff series against Edmonton. In Game 6, Fleury's Flames were trying to force a deciding game, and their game in Edmonton went into overtime.



Back in Calgary, Edmonton would take the seventh game in overtime, 5-4.