“As a man who was sexually abused, I know how important it is to have organizations like 1in6 that help us get through the darkness and let us know we’re not alone. The day I found this site, I found support and information that I needed – and needed to share.” —Theoren Fleury

Standing only 5’6”, Theo Fleury became one of the most unlikely hockey all-stars of all time. Over his 16 year NHL career, through sheer determination and heart, Theo scored more than a point a game. He won a Stanley Cup in his rookie year with the Calgary Flames in 1989, played in seven NHL All Star games, won a gold medal as captain of team Canada at the 1988 world junior championships, won a Canada Cup with team Canada in 1991, and played on the Canadian team that took home Olympic gold from Salt Lake City in 2002.

As hockey fans know, on the ice Theo was an extremely tough and aggressive player, but off the ice he lost many battles with addictions to alcohol and drugs. What most fans have not known is that Theo’s substance abuse, which ultimately forced him out of the NHL in 2003, was driven by his struggles with demons unleashed by a coach’s sexual abuse in his teenage years. Not until 2006, with the support of his wife Jennifer, did Theo finally begin dealing with the aftermath of the sexual abuse and achieve the sobriety he has maintained to this day.

In the spring of 2009, with everything stacked against him, Theo began training full-time with his mind set on playing in the NHL once again. In September he was reinstated to the league and invited to the opening of the Calgary Flames training camp. Theo scored four points in four pre-season Flames games, including a shootout winner one day before his 4th Anniversary of sobriety – which made him an inspiration for fans around the globe. Yet a comeback was not meant to be, and he was released by the Flames. Though he could have played for another team, Theo realized he had come full circle, and he decided to retire from hockey, for good, where it had all began over 20 years ago, as a Calgary Flame.

Theo has just released his tell-all autobiography, Playing with Fire, and is currently doing speaking engagements across North America. He lives in Calgary with his wife, Jenn, and their young daughter Skylah.