A Stanley Cup champion who is now a noted author and speaker will headline the third annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Breakfast.
Theo Fleury, who won the Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989, will be front and centre at the fundraising event, Feb. 7, 2017 at the Northern Sport Centre. As the keynote speaker, he'll share a message called Don't Quit Before the Miracle.
"We are thrilled that Theo is sharing his inspirational story at our Legacy Breakfast, which is a major fundraiser in support of scholarships and bursaries for UNBC student athletes," said Loralyn Murdoch, director of athletics and recreation at UNBC.
Fleury has written two books - Playing with Fire and Conversations with a Rattlesnake. In Playing with Fire, he alleged he was sexually abused by his former junior hockey coach Graham James over a two-year period.
Fleury now focuses on being a healing motivator with knowledge in the field of relational trauma. His mission of helping others get to better places in their lives has taken shape in many forms, whether meeting people for brief moments on the street or as an inspirational speaker with the intention of creating healing through conversation.
Fleury has been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and is an Honorary Chief and recipient of the Aboriginal Inspire Award. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Science from the University of Guelph-Humber for outstanding contributions to the mental health of Canadians. Most recently, he was bestowed an honorary doctorate in Laws from Brandon University in recognition of his contributions in combatting child sexual abuse and for his efforts to promote healing and recovery.
Fleury spent 16 years in the NHL, including 11 seasons with the Flames. As well as being a Stanley Cup champ, he helped Team Canada win gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The 2016 UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Breakfast featured Canadian Football Hall-of-Famer Michael "Pinball" Clemons and raised a record $52,000. The inaugural event in 2015 with five-time Olympic medallist Hayley Wickenheiser generated more than $40,000.
"The Legacy Breakfast has exceeded all of our expectations to date and the goal of the committee is to continue making it bigger and better to serve the needs of our student athletes," Murdoch said.
Tickets are $85 for an individual seat, or $650 for a table of eight. The breakfast begins at 7 a.m.
For more information, or to register for the breakfast, visit the website at unbc.ca/timberwolves/legacy-breakfast.
For the third consecutive year, Canadian Tire will be the presenting sponsor.
