Tough Guy Encounters

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by Loosey

I also fitted Theron Fleury in a tuxedo for a wedding he was in a year or two ago, I was surprised at how much taller I was then him. This was right around when his book was coming out and he did not seem happy at all. My manager was a diehard Oilers fan and kept "dropping" his tuxedo - he chuckled at that.

I had a funny encounter with Fleury myself. Me and my wife - who is very unfortunatley a HUGE Flames fan - went to one of his book signings a few years back at a Chapters store here in Calgary. We didn't get there as early as we should have, so we were pretty far back in the lineup, near the back of the store. We didn't relaize we were right by the store manager's office, when all of a sudden the doors opens and out pops Theo.

So, if you know Fleury - or have read his book - you might know that he loves blondes. Well, my wife is blonde, is Fleury's age, and -imo - quite beautiful - so as Fleury is threading his way through the line on his way to the front of the store, he cuts in front of us, and I can him see smile at my wife and checks her out, from head to toes. I'm standing there thinking, "Jesus, Theo Fleury just eye-fuked my wife!" I thought it was kinda funny and was laughing about it for a few days later.

When we finally got to meet Theo, a couple hundred people had already been by to greet him, but Theo was still very polite and cordial. He shook my hand and had a good laugh when I told him I was a huge Canucks fan and how he used to drive me crazy. We talked about the Flames/Canucks series in '89 and '94 and how good the hockey was, and he said the hockey today is no where near as good as it used to be. As we turned to leave I said "Congrats and good luck with everything, Theo" - he had just announced he would be pressing charges against Graham James - he looked back at me with this real soft, grateful look on his face and said "Thanks man, I really appreciate that." I knew he meant every word and it actually made me feel real good about myself.

Funny how one of my greatest villains growing up turned out to be such a nice guy years later.

[Loosey]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

I had a funny encounter with Fleury myself. Me and my wife - who is very unfortunatley a HUGE Flames fan - went to one of his book signings a few years back at a Chapters store here in Calgary. We didn't get there as early as we should have, so we were pretty far back in the lineup, near the back of the store. We didn't relaize we were right by the store manager's office, when all of a sudden the doors opens and out pops Theo.

So, if you know Fleury - or have read his book - you might know that he loves blondes. Well, my wife is blonde, is Fleury's age, and -imo - quite beautiful - so as Fleury is threading his way through the line on his way to the front of the store, he cuts in front of us, and I can him see smile at my wife and checks her out, from head to toes. I'm standing there thinking, "Jesus, Theo Fleury just eye-fuked my wife!" I thought it was kinda funny and was laughing about it for a few days later.

When we finally got to meet Theo, a couple hundred people had already been by to greet him, but Theo was still very polite and cordial. He shook my hand and had a good laugh when I told him I was a huge Canucks fan and how he used to drive me crazy. We talked about the Flames/Canucks series in '89 and '94 and how good the hockey was, and he said the hockey today is no where near as good as it used to be. As we turned to leave I said "Congrats and good luck with everything, Theo" - he had just announced he would be pressing charges against Graham James - he looked back at me with this real soft, grateful look on his face and said "Thanks man, I really appreciate that." I knew he meant every word and it actually made me feel real good about myself.

Funny how one of my greatest villains growing up turned out to be such a nice guy years later.

Great story man ! I wish I had a bit longer to chat with him - I was pretty shocked he had just walked into Moore's.

Real common thing about Fleury - people hated to play against the guy, or even don't like his personality but everyone respects him. A little off topic, but when Yakupov had that celebration in question the other day, Fleury's twitter blew up with fans from yesteryear and it was real nice to see.

I remember in his documentary he showed a long fence in his yard he would walk back and forth along for hours - the reason he thought his balance was so exceptional. I guess it's just not a surprise when someone has a talent and "makes it", real hard work and dedication is usally, prominantly in the picture.

[JPD]

All this stuff was about 20 years ago but here we go.

There was a Ranger autograph signing at car dealership, a couple of players were there. First I talked to Kelly Kisio and asked him to sign the autograph as "ironfist" and he just looked at me. I said I remember that fight you had with Doug Smith and you knocked him out with one punch. He just laughed and said you need to talk to that guy and pointed to Tie Domi. That was really the only reason I went and I talked to Tie about the fight he just had with John Kordic in Washington and he said it was tough. He took a few pictures with me and I tried to get him to a boxing pose with me, but no luck.
He was really nice and I told him I can't wait until you score you first nhl goal and he said thanks I'm trying. I was surprised he was only about 5'8"

Met Kris King at a preseason game and he was in the stands during the thrid period signing autographs. I went up to him with a couple of friends and I had a few beer's in me and said to him that you can't lose fights to Mick Vukota and he just looked at me, but he did sign my empty beer cup.

Met some Sabre's after a game against Islanders at the Marriott hotel. Rob Ray walked into bar and I went to shake his hand and he said to me, don't squeeze to hard and I almost pissed myself. Than Matt Barnaby walked in wearing this crazy fur coat looked around for some women and just left. What I thought was funny was the coach Ted Nolan was hanging out drinking beers with the players. My friend who was a big Washington fan asked Ted Nolan if he wished he had Alan May on his team. He said he would love to have him on the team and that he was one tough s.o.b.

I use to see Mick Vukota all the time at this bar Varsity in Huntington during the summer's but I never talked to him he always looked like he was pissed off and I never liked the way he fought and I was a Ranger fan.

[barnabyfan2004]

Met Rob Ray as he was getting off team bus in Erie. I asked Rob can I have your autograph. He said what do you say? (like wheres the please) I wanted to tell him to F*** off and keep your autograph douche. Kinda rubbed me the wrong way. BTW I was about 25 when this happened he acted like I was 10.

[ewen21]

Originally Posted by NameyMD

1:09
Myhres vs Kruse 1/9/99 - YouTube

In a goofy way Kruse sometimes reminded me of this guy: