Theo Fleury Trying a Storybook Comeback

An inspirational storyline is playing out in Calgary where former hero Theoren Fleury was granted a tryout invitation to the Flames training camp. Even though he is 41 years-old and hasn’t played NHL hockey since 2003 this Saskatchewan native believes that he is ready to make a splash at camp and be on that opening night roster. “I’ve basically been doing everything I can to prepare myself for tomorrow,” Fleury who has been out of the game due to being suspended for violating his aftercare program for substance abuse said on Friday. “I think the biggest asset I have to bring to an organization is the experience that I have. That’s what they’re getting when they get me tomorrow. “I’m still in shock, it’s been a very long road.” Fleury who has scored 455 career goals and 1088 points caught the imagination of all Calgarian hockey fans when he came on the scene in 1989 in time for the Stanley Cup playoff run that would see the Flames win the Stanley Cup. During that magical spring this 5 foot 6 182 pound forward who was selected eighth round in the 1987 draft posted 11 points in playing a key role in winning. During his prime with the Flames Fleury twice hit the one hundred point mark and enjoyed his best season in 1991 when he scored 51 goals and 104 points. During the trade deadline in 1999 arguably the most popular Flame was traded to the Colorado Avalanche before having stints with the New York Rangers and Blackhawks. On Thursday night Fleury who has been sober for the past five seasons received reinstatement from the NHL and NHL Players’ Association. If that wasn’t magical enough a day later Calgary, a team that Fleury says is closest to his heart granted him the tryout. “At heart I’m a hockey player first and foremost,” Fleury said. “Obviously I didn’t g out the way I wanted to. I knew something was wrong about 15 years ago. I just didn’t have the tools to be able to deal with life. I started picking up really good tools to get to a point four years ago where I knew I could stop and continue and maintain my recovery and sobriety.” After leaving the Hawks Fleury toiled in Europe and in North American senior leagues since then. 29Sports.com wishes the veteran well as he tries to complete what would be a storybook comeback.