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Fleury in Windy City Blackhawks sign winger to two-year, $8.5 million dealPosted: Thursday August 15, 2002 1:00 PMUpdated: Thursday August 15, 2002 6:20 PM
CHICAGO (AP) -- Free-agent winger Theo Fleury signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. He averaged 67 points while battling substance abuse and personal problems in three tumultuous seasons with the New York Rangers. Fleury's deal with Chicago is worth $8.5 million. The Rangers declined to pick up his $7 million option for the upcoming season. He had 24 goals, 39 assists and a team-high-tying 214 penalty minutes in 82 games last season. Fleury also had several on-ice meltdowns in 2001-02, saying he was under stress because of personal issues unrelated to his substance-abuse struggles. Fleury missed the final 20 games of the previous season for rehab. "We've gone through this process with Theo with our eyes open and we know what his personal situation is. We believe Theo can help our team, and we can help Theo," Blackhawks general manager Mike Smith said. The 34-year-old Fleury -- who helped Canada win the gold medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics -- enjoyed his greatest success with the Calgary Flames, where he spent the first 10 1/2 seasons of his career and won the 1989 Stanley Cup as a rookie. Fleury scored more than 90 points four times with Calgary. He was traded to Colorado in a six-player deal in 1999, playing 15 games with the Avalanche, scoring 10 goals and adding 14 assists. He signed with New York the next season. "The Chicago Blackhawks have had an interest in Theo Fleury
since the end of the season. We think Theo is still a top-level
player in our game," Smith said.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
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