The Blackhawks forward will not be suspended, Chicago general manager Mike Smith announced Thursday.
Doctors from the NHL-NHLPA joint Substance Abuse and Behavioural Modification Program have determined the strip-club incident does not merit a suspension for the troubled Blackhawks star.
Theo Fleury has 15 points in 23 games with the Hawks. (CP Photo)
Fleury is expected to be in the Chicago lineup Thursday when the Hawks host the St. Louis Blues.
"We've dealt with it internally," said Smith.
Fleury could have faced a possible six-month minimum suspension without pay under the NHL's substance-abuse aftercare program. However, the Hawks forward and two unidentified teammates still face possible disciplinary action from their club, most likely fines.
Fleury was involved in the club incident, which left him bruised, last weekend.
According to an official document filed by the Columbus police department, "the victim was intoxicated and refused medics who wanted to treat a cut over the victim's left eye."
Officer Jason Gunther told the Tribune that when he arrived on the scene of the incident, he found three men in the back of a cab.
According to Gunther, two of the men approached him and said: "Can you step over here for a second? We play for the Chicago Blackhawks, this is Theo Fleury and we need to get out of here."
Fleury, Gunther said, was bloodied and "looked like he could be severely hurt."
Gunther also told the newspaper that no sobriety tests were given and the police consider the incident over. No charges were laid.
Fleury later stated he was roughed up by bouncers.
The Blackhawks played the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. Fleury had a swollen eye and played with a protective visor for the first time this season.
Canadian Press reported that Fleury met with doctors from the NHL-NHLPA joint Substance Abuse and Behavioural Modification Program on Wednesday evening.
"I had the opportunity to speak to my teammates (Wednesday)," Fleury said after a Wednesday practice. "As far as I'm concerned that's who I'm responsible to.
"It's unfortunate the things that happened, but today's a new day and I'm just going to continue to go forward from here."
Fleury has been suspended several times for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was suspended for the first 25 games of this season for violating the terms of his aftercare program.
The Hawks signed the 34-year-old free agent to a two-year, $4 million US deal last summer. He is tested randomly three times a week for drugs and alcohol.
Fleury's problems first surfaced two seasons ago while he was with the New York Rangers. On Oct 2, he missed practice without permission afterward he told team officials he was with his ailing father. The league suspended Fleury without pay six days later.
Fleury missed that season's final 20 games after checking himself into the substance-abuse program, then continued to take part in a mandatory after-care program.
Fleury played all 82 games with the Rangers last season, but the campaign was marred with bizarre incidents.
In a span of a few short weeks, Fleury fought the San Jose Sharks' mascot, walked off the ice mid-game in Pittsburgh and made obscene hand gestures to Islander fans during a game in Long Island.
Fleury's unpredictable temperament also netted him more than 200 penalty minutes.
After the season was over, the Rangers' management felt Fleury's off-ice antics, and mediocre on-ice performance, didn't justify his hefty pay cheque and the two sides parted ways.
With the Hawks, Fleury has seven goals and eight assists in 23 games.
with files from Sports Network
