Fleury retires 'a Calgary Flame'
Former 50-goal man sits 2nd on franchise's all-time scoring list behind Iginla
One-time Calgary Flames captain Theoren Fleury no longer will pursue a tryout with any of the NHL's other 29 teams or any other professional hockey club.
The 41-year-old winger announced his retirement Monday, three days after the Flames released Fleury despite recording four points in four pre-season games.
"I could not sign with another team. I retire a Calgary Flame," Fleury told reporters during a news conference at the Saddledome.
Fleury, who broke into the NHL in 1988-89 with the Flames, is second on the team's all-time scoring list with 830 points in 791 games. Current captain Jarome Iginla is first with 851 points.
Fleury's career NHL stats
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
| 1988-89 | Calgary | 36 | 14 | 20 | 34 |
| 1989-90 | Calgary | 80 | 31 | 35 | 66 |
| 1990-91 | Calgary | 79 | 51 | 53 | 104 |
| 1991-92 | Calgary | 80 | 33 | 40 | 73 |
| 1992-93 | Calgary | 83 | 34 | 66 | 100 |
| 1993-94 | Calgary | 83 | 40 | 45 | 85 |
| 1994-95 | Calgary | 47 | 29 | 29 | 58 |
| 1995-96 | Calgary | 80 | 46 | 50 | 96 |
| 1996-97 | Calgary | 81 | 28 | 38 | 67 |
| 1997-98 | Calgary | 82 | 27 | 51 | 78 |
| 1998-99 | Calgary | 60 | 30 | 39 | 69 |
| 1998-99 | Colorado | 15 | 10 | 14 | 24 |
| 1999-00 | NY Rangers | 80 | 15 | 49 | 64 |
| 2000-01 | NY Rangers | 62 | 30 | 44 | 74 |
| 2001-02 | NY Rangers | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 |
| 2002-03 | Chicago | 54 | 12 | 21 | 33 |
Working against Fleury at training camp this time around was his age and the fact 14 Flames have one-way contracts.
"He hadn't played the game in six years, and the legs just aren't where they need to be," Calgary head coach Brent Sutter said. "It's not his fault. That just happens."
General manager Darryl Sutter said on Friday he was proud of the five-foot-six forward for attempting a comeback. "I believe Theoren did a great job … especially considering all the factors, including age, time away from the game and lifestyle change."
Fleury, who has battled alcoholism, was suspended 25 games in 2002 for violating the NHL's substance abuse policy and suspended indefinitely for a second offence in 2003, his last year in the league.
He sought redemption on the fringe of pro hockey, trying his hand in the North Peace Hockey League and then overseas. He entered an NHL- and NHL Players' Association-sanctioned substance abuse program in 2006.
The league reinstated Fleury last month, and he started looking for a club willing to give him a shot.
Fleury won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in his rookie season of 1988-89. He later cracked the Canadian men's Olympic squad, which won a gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002.
The native of Oxbow, Sask., also had NHL stints with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, finishing his career with 455 goals and 1,088 points over 15 seasons.