Flames Release Theo Fleury

Theoren Fleury's improbable comeback attempt with the Calgary Flames has come to an end, it appears, as the team has released the 41-year-old forward.

Fleury, who hasn't played an NHL regular season since the 2003 season, thanked the Flames in a statement released by the team for giving him the opportunity to resurrect his career, and has yet to decide if he will hang up the skates for good, telling TSN, "I need a couple of days."

Flames general manager Darryl Sutter also released the following statement:

"I believe Theoren did a great job and should be proud, especially considering all the factors including age, time away from the game and lifestyle change ... This is not a hockey story; it's a life story. Our agreement with Theoren was that he had to be one of our top six wingers and there were never any intentions of assigning him to the American Hockey League."

During the preseason with the Flames, Fleury registered a goal and three assists to go with a plus-four rating, while he also scored the game-winning goal in a shootout against the New York Islanders in his debut on September 17.

He last played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2002-03 season, scoring 12 goals in 54 games.

He's tallied 455 goals -- including a 50-goal campaign during the 1990-91 season -- and 633 assists in his 15-year career, most of which came as a member of the Flames