While Jason Allison is known for being a slow-as-molasses-running-uphill-in-January skater, at the other end of the spectrum is diminutive Flames right-winger Theoren Fleury. At least, he was at the other end of the spectrum in his first NHL go-around.
Like Allison, Fleury has spent a few years away from the NHL game. Unlike Allison, Fleury stayed away at the league's insistence. In 2003, after struggling with alcohol abuse issues, the then-Blackhawk found himself on the outside looking in - a shocking development, considering his hero status in Calgary, where he helped the Flames win the 1989 Stanley Cup.
After his fall from grace, Fleury spent a season playing senior league hockey in Alberta, and another playing pro for the Belfast Giants. For a player of his stature (no pun intended), neither one would be worth including on a resume. Sure, his stats with Belfast were great - 74 points in 34 games (along with 270 minutes in the box) - but let's face it, despite the fact that the Giants play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, there is nothing "elite" about it. Any NHLer who should be capable of holding down a job as a top-nine forward should not be playing in a league where they need to specify that their brand of hockey is played on ice.
Theo Fleury, however, says he has been clean and sober for four years now, and he's been devoting his time to working out and getting back into game shape. The NHL reinstated him into the league, and the Flames deemed him worthy of a training camp invitation. Looks like things have turned around, right?
Well, maybe not. At age 41, Fleury is no spring chicken, and he doesn't have the legs he used to. Do the fans in Calgary still love him? You'd better believe it. In his first exhibition game last night, he scored the shootout winner in front of a euphoric Saddledome crowd, and every fan's voice was certainly hoarse this morning. The rest of his 11 minutes of icetime, however, left something to be desired; his lightning speed wasn't there, his feistiness was lacking, and he took a lazy hooking penalty that led to the Islanders' fourth goal. Coach Brent Sutter's assessment: "I thought he played OK." Not exactly a glowing review, is it?
Now, after the game, Fleury told the media, "It's been a long road. I'm extremely proud of myself." And you know what? He should be. So maybe that's what fans should focus on, whether he makes it back to the NHL or not. He beat his alcoholism, he earned himself a tryout in the best hockey league in the world, and while he may not be the Theo Fleury of 1989, he's still got some game.
Calgary's brass will want to see more of him before they make a final decision on whether to keep him around, but if he does stick, it's hard to know who will be happier: Fleury, or his legions of fans.
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