CALGARY, Alberta — Theo Fleury‘s career is ending in
the place it began.
The 41-year-old forward decided to give up his comeback
attempt and retire as a member of the Calgary Flames.
“I could not sign with another team,” he said. “I retire
a Calgary Flame.”
Last week, the Flames released him from a tryout. Fleury
was attempting to return to the NHL after a six-year absence and managed to
record four points in four preseason games with Calgary.
But with 14 forwards under contract, securing a spot as
one of the top-six forwards proved too much.
In 15 NHL seasons with four teams, Fleury scored 455
goals and had 1,088 points.
Fleury is second on the Flames’ career scoring list with
830 points in 791 games. Current captain Jarome Iginla leads with 851 points.
Fleury broke into the NHL in the 1988-89 season and won a
Stanley Cup with the Flames. He later played for the Canadian Olympic squad that
won a gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
The Canadian native also had stints with Colorado, the
New York Rangers and Chicago.