A lone Ranger? Not Fleury.(hockey player Theo Fleury)(Brief Article)

Even though it's being televised from a Calgary country club practice range, you can tell from looking at his eyes that Theo Fleury is clear and focused as he hits 7-irons before his annual charity tournament for Crohn's disease and colitis research.

Fleury is tanned and strong, not stressed out like he was February 29, when he left the Rangers and checked himself into a rehab center to confront the demons of substance abuse that he and his parents have struggled with for years.

Even after an errant golf shot on this sunny July afternoon, Fleury flashes his trademark gap-toothed smile.

It's clear that hockey's little rascal is back. So is the get-out-of-my-way survival mind-set that has made the 5-6, 160-pound Fleury one of the fiercest competitors for 13 NHL seasons.

Fleury was headed for a career year with 29 goals and 38 assists after 51 games for the Rangers last season. He was challenging Joe Sakic for the league scoring title. Then he slumped to one goal and six assists in his last 11 games and fell deep into despair.

"I won't get into details" Fleury said at an impromptu news conference during his first personal appearance since checking into rehab centers in Phoenix, Los Angeles and New Mexico. "I was having a great season before my life began to fall down on top of me. All I can say is I'm the type of guy who doesn't like to ask for help--and that was stupid.

"Unfortunately, most athletes feel invincible. I learned the hard way that I'm not invincible. I needed help--lots of it."