Theo Fleury Cleared to Return to NHL

The NHL could be home to quite the comeback story this season.

Longtime star forward Theo Fleury faded away a few years back, thanks in part to a track record of substance abuse that led to his suspension from the NHL. Recently, word got out that Fleury wanted to play again. Now, the 41-year-old, who played in 455 games over his NHL career and took part in eight international competitions as a member of Team Canada, has been cleared by the NHL to come back.

TSN's Darren Dreger got reaction from Fleury.

"Just to get to this point in my life, to even be considered for reinstatement is a miracle," Fleury told TSN.

"To go through what I went through, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't at least try."

Now comes the hard part. He has to find a team to play for.

Fleury told Dreger that teams are interested, but he wouldn't identify them. Since he lives in Calgary, and had a prosperous career with the Flames, it makes sense to suggest that a forward-thin Calgary team would take a flier on Fleury, who is bound not to cost too much money if he can make an NHL team.

Someone of Fleury's experience -- if he can skate and play at a high level -- could be valuable to a younger team like Edmonton or Los Angeles. He could also fill a role with San Jose, who had two aged veterans -- Jeremy Roenick and Claude Lemieux -- on the roster.

For Fleury, the story of his recovery (chronicled in a book due out next month) is worth noting, no matter how his comeback attempt fares. If he can find a team and make an NHL roster, it becomes all the more significant.