Ever since I can remember I've been a fan of hockey, but it wasn't until I
was twelve years old and I watched a few Calgary Flames games as suggested by a
classmate that I became a die hard Hockey fan.
The main contributor to this love of Hockey and the Calgary Flames was Theoren Fleury.
Until then I had always been an ABC fan (Anybody But the Canadiens) but had never found a team that captured my imagination. I had been content with rooting for the team playing against my father's Montreal Canadiens. Theoren Fleury changed all that.
I'd never seen anyone else play with so much emotion, determination, and skill. Sure it helped that I was a small kid and looked up to him as a role model. Fleury being one of if not the smallest player ever to step on the ice for an NHL game, but that was far from the only factor.
Every time he touched the puck I felt like he was going to skate up the ice and score a highlight reel goal, I'd sit on the edge of my seat ready to jump up and cheer at any moment. He was a fierce competitor that played every game with a fiery intensity and fearless determination that I have rarely seen since.
Growing up in southern Ontario, I didn't get to see the Flames play very often, so I was real exited when Hockey Night in Canada announced that they'd be playing a doubleheader every Saturday night, I was going to be able to watch Fleury play even more. I'd stay up 'til one in the morning to watch the Flames games.
Theoren Fleury has been a source of inspiration and strength through out my life. Sure as a kid I'd play hockey outside for hours pretending to be Fleury scoring big goals, but as an adult who followed Theo's story, he has inspired me to persevere through my own personal struggles and strive to become a better son, husband, and father.
I was lucky enough to meet my boyhood idol at a book signing in Montreal, and aside from taking the time to speak with everyone and take pictures, he was nice enough to sign anything that was put in front of him, including the top of the custom built and painted, memorabilia box I had brought.
Thank you Theoren for caring enough to share your story.
The main contributor to this love of Hockey and the Calgary Flames was Theoren Fleury.
Until then I had always been an ABC fan (Anybody But the Canadiens) but had never found a team that captured my imagination. I had been content with rooting for the team playing against my father's Montreal Canadiens. Theoren Fleury changed all that.
I'd never seen anyone else play with so much emotion, determination, and skill. Sure it helped that I was a small kid and looked up to him as a role model. Fleury being one of if not the smallest player ever to step on the ice for an NHL game, but that was far from the only factor.
Every time he touched the puck I felt like he was going to skate up the ice and score a highlight reel goal, I'd sit on the edge of my seat ready to jump up and cheer at any moment. He was a fierce competitor that played every game with a fiery intensity and fearless determination that I have rarely seen since.
Growing up in southern Ontario, I didn't get to see the Flames play very often, so I was real exited when Hockey Night in Canada announced that they'd be playing a doubleheader every Saturday night, I was going to be able to watch Fleury play even more. I'd stay up 'til one in the morning to watch the Flames games.
Theoren Fleury has been a source of inspiration and strength through out my life. Sure as a kid I'd play hockey outside for hours pretending to be Fleury scoring big goals, but as an adult who followed Theo's story, he has inspired me to persevere through my own personal struggles and strive to become a better son, husband, and father.
I was lucky enough to meet my boyhood idol at a book signing in Montreal, and aside from taking the time to speak with everyone and take pictures, he was nice enough to sign anything that was put in front of him, including the top of the custom built and painted, memorabilia box I had brought.
Thank you Theoren for caring enough to share your story.