BELFAST (CP) - Theo Fleury joined the Belfast Giants in what the team was touting as one of the biggest signings in British hockey history.
The former Calgary Flames star had been waiting for a British work permit, and finally got the green light to play for Belfast on Tuesday.
''This is the biggest ever signing for the Belfast Giants and indeed the Elite League,'' Giants coach Ed Courtenay said on the team's website. ''Having scored over 1,000 points in as many NHL games, we know Theo will be a huge boost for the sport of ice hockey in the U.K.
''I am really looking forward to coaching Theo. . . ''
Courtenay added that Fleury is the only Olympic gold medallist in any sport to play and train in Northern Ireland.
The five-foot-six Fleury won gold with Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. He wasn't invited to the recent camp for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
''Fleury is an international ice hockey legend and he will bring a new dimension to the sport of ice hockey here in Belfast,'' said Courtenay.
Fleury played with the Horse Lake Thunder of the Alberta Senior Hockey League last season, leading the team to the semifinals at the Allan Cup, the Canadian senior league championship.
He was under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks the previous season, but didn't play a single game because he was suspended by the NHL for violating the league's substance abuse program.
Fleury is a native of Russell, Man., and had 1,088 points (455 goals, 633 assists) in 1,084 career NHL games.
He signed with Belfast because of his friendship with new investor Jim Yaworski, ''who has mentored him through a tough patch in his career overcoming alcoholism and Chrohn's disease,'' the website said.
''Theo is an outstandingly talented hockey player who just loves to play,'' Yaworksi said. ''I have asked him to come to Belfast to play for the Giants and become a hero in a new town.''