Theo Fleury Sighting

Theo Fleury is playing hockey in Northern Ireland of all places. He's playing for the Belfast Giants of the British Elite League.

The link is a fascinating look at what Fleury has been through and how he "surfaced" in Northern Ireland. The demons are still there, and Fleury makes some very valid points about the NHL substance abuse program in the article:

"Everywhere I go. . . .They call it Alcoholic's Anonymous. The next thing you know it's front-page news. How does that work?"

Fleury then pauses for a moment. "Look," he said, "I'm not trying to have a pity party here. I'm just telling you my reality."

The piece is also chock full of fascinating information on hockey, sports and religion in Northern Ireland:

Green is Catholic (Celtic). Blue is Protestant (Rangers). You don't wear the wrong jersey in the wrong neighbourhood.... It's no coincidence, then, that the Giants jerseys are teal, a calculated combination of blue and green.

The article states that "Fleury is Northern Ireland on skates" and the article is excellent and well worth your time but this latest Theo Fleury sighting also gives me the chance to revisit my theory that Theo Fleury is actually the Bizzaro Matthew Broderick.

I wrote down my reasons for believing Fleury was the Bizzaro Broderick almost three years to this very day:

This is more than just an ESPN.com’s Page 2 “Here’s LOOKing at You” similarity though. There is something much deeper at work here. I have come to believe that Fleury is the Bizzaro Broderick. (Although if Page 2 did want to run the pictures of the two separated at birth guys – I would suggest they use the picture of Broderick with a black eye from either The Cable Guy or from Election).

Fleury stands at 5’6’ and weighs 182 pounds. Broderick stands 5’8” and weighs 182 pounds. Theo on skates and Broderick with lifts (to look taller than Sarah Jessica Parker) are the same height. Both try to act – Broderick on stage and screen and Fleury on the ice any time he is touched and happens to be near a linesman. Coincidences? I think not.

As a youngster Broderick tried out for the role of Alex Keaton while Fleury tried out for the role of handsome Canadian hockey player. Neither Broderick nor Fleury could measure up to Michael J. Fox however.

You can easily picture Broderick as Ferris Bueller. You can just as easily picture Fleury skipping most of high school.

In 1989 – Broderick starred in the movie Glory while Fleury enjoyed the glory of making the NHL.

In 1994 – Broderick became a cartoon character of sorts – playing the voice of Simba in the Lion King. Fleury was also becoming a cartoon character of sorts playing the undersized, feisty, toothless, hard drinking Canadian hockey player with small man’s disease.

1n 1997 – Broderick starred in the movie Addicted to Love while Fleury was just playing addicted.

Of course probably the greatest evidence of Fleury being the anti-Broderick (or Bizzaro Broderick if you will) is the fact that Broderick was tapped for the lead in the play The Producers on Broadway and it was a rousing success while Fleury was signed to play a producer (goal producer that is) on Broadway [for the Rangers] and was a tremendous flop.

Hat tip to the Sports Frog for the link to the story