He was selected in the eighth round of the 1987 draft, the 166th player overall. Did the Calgary Flames REALLY think he could play in the NHL, let alone excel? Or did they figure him as an energetic, utility player who would jump at any chance of being recalled from the minors and not complain?

Theo Fleury is a 5-foot-6, 175-pound dynamo with great hands and tenacity to match. He has also been called a distraction, an individual in a team game and a player that you wouldn't want to take a chance on.

When Wayne Gretzky made him an Olympian on Dec. 15, 2001, more than one member of Team Canada told me it was a mistake, based on his erratic behavior the previous few seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers. At that time, Fleury had been playing for just three months since being cleared to return from the league's substance-abuse program, which he had entered voluntarily on Feb. 28, 2001.

	Though his teammates were wary, Theo Fleury was the model of decorum during the Olympics.

The players' fears were validated by a myriad of less-than-professional acts -- an altercation with the Sharks mascot, being fined for making an obscene gesture to fans at Nassau Coliseum. On Jan. 5 in Pittsburgh, Fleury was penalized a third time for slashing at 7:37 of the third period. Instead of heading to the penalty box, he charged off the ice, changed in the locker room and got on the team bus, where he waited, stewing, until the game was over. It caught the hockey world's attention immediately. It should have caught the attention of the folks in charge of the aftercare program, as well. Theo was lost. His antics were signs. Only later did we find out the tremendous stress he was under due to family issues.

When Theo signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on Aug. 15, part of the deal was the inclusion of his sponsor. That alone was a big step for the little guy. He knew he would need support along the way and would need it from someone he trusts. His sponsor, J.J., goes everywhere with Theo. They're roommates on the road (Theo gets the remote). Perhaps the most important aspect is J.J. is paid by the team, so he does what is right for Theo, instead of telling him the answers he wants to hear.

I interviewed Theo on Tuesday morning before the team's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum, in preparation for Wednesday's game against the Rangers on ESPN2. He talked a lot about accountability, something he would weasel out of when things went bad in the past. For the first time in his life, he can recognize the demons that have lived inside him for so long. He deals with them on a day-to-day basis. I'm sure, at times, it's an hour-to-hour and minute-to-minute scenario, as well.

He told me those on-ice incidents before the Olympics happened because he was sober. If there was a problem in the past, he could just go hide out and deal with it with alcohol "or whatever it was." But he didn't have that anymore. He also didn't have the emotional tools to deal. Now he does. He has his sponsor, his ability to admit that he needs help to stay on this path, and the fact he can look in the mirror and not find excuses every time he makes a bad decision.

	“	I don't blame other people. ”
		— Theo Fleury

For 29 years he has gone to the rink and laced up his skates. Loved by everyone for his infectious smile and boundless energy. Protected and excused when he stayed out too late or got himself into trouble.

Today, when he wakes up, the first thing he does in the morning is go to an AA meeting. On off days, he goes to practice, then to lunch. After that, he goes to therapy, then home to relax. He admits that for the first time, "I don't blame other people."

Back in February, 2001, Theo was the one who decided he needed a break from hockey to address his problems. This time, it was decided for him. And for the first time, he said, he realized "how much hockey has given to me, now it's time for me to give something back and I look forward to that."

Theo Fleury won a Stanley Cup in his rookie season. He holds the record for short-handed goals in one game (3). He's scored 50 goals in a season once and 100 points twice. He has won a Canada Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

And he has taken it all for granted.

At least in the past.

I am not so sure that is the case now.

Darren Pang, a former goaltender with the Chicago Blackhawks, is a hockey analyst for ESPN.