sprague11
Upstanding Member
fleury at his worst was no more embarassing than Kevin Stevens, Grant Fuhr, Bob Probert, etc.
Theo Fleury coming back?
- Thread starter chicagoblackhawksfan
- Start date
cburt
Remembered Member,
According to that logic, there'd be no point to stating an opinion on anything then. Why do you think the OP started this topic? Hmm, maybe to discuss Fleury's comeback? That's the point. But we shall see if anyone wants him. I guess he'll need league approval first. I don't think there's much to this, but we'll see what happens.
cburt
Remembered Member,
Being forced to leave the game due to his substance abuse problem. In many aspects he had a good career, with a lot of highlights, but he didn't finish well. He nearly got team Canada kicked out of the Olympic hockey tournament in 2002 . . . Was he a good example to young kids, hockey players? Would he be considered a role model? No. No one's perfect, of course, but that's why I said what I said.
malskelton
New member
As they say, stats can prove any point.
I saw him play for Belfast and I don't deny he racked up some penalty minutes, but a lot of that was because the wannabe tough guys in the league wanted to prove they were tougher than Theo .......... many of them discovered just why he had the NHL career he did.
On his debut against Edinburgh Capitals he scored a hat trick, got 4 assists and fought against Fredrik Oduya
He dominated our league totally for that season - his tenure over here soured by his incident against Coventry when he scaled the penalty box plexi to get at some fans who had been goading him.
I was just delighted I got to see him play once - against Sheffield Steelers where he just ran the game.
Mal Skelton
cburt
Remembered Member,
Interesting tidbit of info. Mal, thanks. I'm well aware of his tenure with Belfast, but don't think it adds much creedence to a comeback attempt.
Fritz
Nitwit in good standing,
Theo Fleury yadda yadda yadda Leafs.
that is all.
that is all.
malskelton
New member
I agree - I think it is too late and he has been away from top level hockey for too long. However I wanted to point out that during his tenure in Belfast he was far from just a goon - which was the implication of the original post.
He raised the interest levels in British hockey ( which was only a good thing ) and I admit he did have anger management issues, but he was also targeted by a lot of players / fans as they knew he would react .......... strange really as he was always known for being a pest during his NHL career.
Would love to see him make it back - but I'm not sure he will achieve the closure he strives for
Mal Skelton
jmatchett
Banned User
He was the only player I ever saw voluntarily skate off the ice in the middle of the game. If he had issues fine, still no excuse. That one incident by itself is reason enough for me to never want him back in the NHL. Also, to the guy saying Theo could do it b/c Claude Lmeieux did...I don't think 1 assist in 18 games is a success story, although I'd assume Theo would be a bit better at his age.
spooner9ball
Verified Trader,
Comeback does not equal success story.
JohnnyDrama
Verified Trader,
Really? We're going to the "role model" example? If you want to go there, any fighter or cheap player (Claude Lemieux jumps to mind) isn't a good role model. Why not jump down their throats?
andhicks
Verified Trader
What was the 2002 team canada incident/incidents?
malskelton
New member
I suppose you could argue that some players with limited abilities ( ie enforcers / pests ) are a role model as they illustrate how you can make the best of yourself despite not being the most skilled player .............. a little shaky reasoning, but you can see what I mean.
Also, my experience of meeting "fighters" in our BISL is that they are the ones who do the most work in the community, have the most time for their fans etc as they appreciate the fact that they are of limited ability and would be sat in the cheap seats watching otherwise - which does garner them the role model tag ......... potentially
With regards to Theo - he was a role model initially, showing that size doesn't matter ............ and also later overcoming his Crohn's disease, he may be a role model to Crohn's sufferers.
But I agree - his substance abuse issues have probably eroded his role model status to an irrecoverable level
Mal Skelton
fly4apuckguy
Registered Trader
I would love to see Theo make a successful comeback, even for a season or two.
The issues he has had in the past are not as simple or as some would think. Let's not forget where he played hockey as a teenager (and who recruited him for the Warriors)...we can all guess what went down, and Sheldon Kennedy has more or less said what happened in to Theo. Perhaps he was doomed, with that past.
I think for a man to truly be content with himself, he needs to know he's left it all out there...given the world his best self. If this is what it takes for Theo to find contentment, whether he makes it or not, I am happy for him.
I hope he has found peace with his past, and this is one last shot at living the dream.
PS - He's working out with Nick in Calgary, and I hear he looks pretty good, especially with the puck. If the hands are there, he might be able to find a spot in the NHL.
The issues he has had in the past are not as simple or as some would think. Let's not forget where he played hockey as a teenager (and who recruited him for the Warriors)...we can all guess what went down, and Sheldon Kennedy has more or less said what happened in to Theo. Perhaps he was doomed, with that past.
I think for a man to truly be content with himself, he needs to know he's left it all out there...given the world his best self. If this is what it takes for Theo to find contentment, whether he makes it or not, I am happy for him.
I hope he has found peace with his past, and this is one last shot at living the dream.
PS - He's working out with Nick in Calgary, and I hear he looks pretty good, especially with the puck. If the hands are there, he might be able to find a spot in the NHL.
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spooner9ball
Verified Trader,
You know, it is a pretty shocking (to some...) amount of our youth that are into some pretty heavy $&^%%$. I think he makes a greater role model to be able to say "hey kids, I've been there, I've made the same mistakes, but I never gave up".
So far, I've kicked booze, I've kicked smoking, heavy gambling, and many forms of co-dependency, and in the programs that were successful to me, I was carried by men and women who had done EXPONENTIALLY worse things than I had. I learned to RESPECT them for their pasts, not be EMBARRASSED.
That is far more powerful to me..... Sorry just a rant.
Back on track; Bring Fleury Back!!
So far, I've kicked booze, I've kicked smoking, heavy gambling, and many forms of co-dependency, and in the programs that were successful to me, I was carried by men and women who had done EXPONENTIALLY worse things than I had. I learned to RESPECT them for their pasts, not be EMBARRASSED.
That is far more powerful to me..... Sorry just a rant.
Back on track; Bring Fleury Back!!
Fritz
Nitwit in good standing,
Well put! That noise in the background would be the sound of a nail being hit on the head. Last I checked we're all human & humans make mistakes. Mistakes aren't always wasted if you learn from them.
JohnnyDrama
Verified Trader,
I completely get what you're saying but I meant that having youngsters regard guys who fight or take cheapshots for a living as someone they'd want to model their game after. You're essentially teaching them that it's ok to play that way.
I know these guys can be great in the community and I have no issues with that (Rob Ray jumps to mind as a great community guy even though he made his living as a fighter).
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cburt
Remembered Member,
Your way off base here Jack. There's a big difference between a guy who lost his career due to substance abuse issues, and guy's who are cheap player's, fighters, etc. Come on. And role models are much needed in society today, wherever they can be found.
LAKingsFan123
Verified Trader
Its always great to see these guys make a comeback and play! I hope someone signs him. Guy like this, he aint looking for the money, he just wants to play. It shows he is passionate about hockey. Kings sign him! That would be cool!
frankiefives
Verified Trader,
Whether he makes it back to the NHL or not, Fleury needs to be applauded for turning his life around. I heard him on Team 1200 last week and he basically said he didn't "go out" the way he wanted so this comeback is to sort of "close the book" on his career, HIS way. I wish him luck. Even if he gets a handful more games in the NHL, he'll be able to walk away a happier man. Good Luck Theo!
pensfan84
Verified Trader
The odds are against him making it.But you never know if he has the right drive he may pull it off.But the NHL has to make up it mind about him even getting a chance to play.We will have to wait and see.
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