Canadian Press

1/14/2005

EDMONTON (CP) - Theo Fleury hasn't given up in his bid to play senior hockey in Alberta.

The former NHL star will continue his fight despite having his appeal denied Friday by Hockey Alberta.

''This is ridiculous,'' Fleury told radio station CFGP in Grand Prairie, Alta. ''This is borderline human rights stuff. We're going to do all we can to make a point to Alberta hockey that they can't push us around anymore.''

Hockey Alberta denied an appeal by the Horse Lake Thunder on behalf of Fleury, who wanted to register with the team for the rest of the season.

After hearing out the Thunder's argument on Wednesday, Hockey Alberta stuck with its original ruling, that NHL players who were under contract during the 2003-2004 season ''are ineligible to register with a registered team of Hockey Alberta.''

While the provincial governing body did allow for another appeal within seven days, Hockey Alberta general manager Gary Mills left little doubt when asked what Fleury and the Thunder could do to reverse the decision.

''There's nothing,'' Mills said Friday on a conference call.

Fleury was still under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks last season despite not playing a single game, suspended by the NHL for violating the league's substance abuse rules.

Fleury, 36, last appeared in the NHL with the Blackhawks 17 months ago.

He didn't think Hockey Alberta made a fair decision.

''No it's not, it's not,'' he said. ''And they're going to pay dearly for it. I guarantee you that. This is beyond ridiculous. They messed with the wrong Marine this time. Like I said, this is borderline human rights stuff and we're going to take it to the ninth degree to make our point. I've never backed down from a fight ever and they dropped the gloves today and we're prepared to take this as far as we need to go.''

Mills was undeterred by Fleury's comments.

''People may not like the decisions you make but when you're in a responsible position you have to make those decisions,'' Mills said. ''And they may not be pleasing to everybody, but you have to stick to your rules, regulations and bylaws.''

Mills said Hockey Alberta made it policy back in October that they didn't want locked-out NHLers playing senior hockey.

But Fleury and the Thunder had argued that he should be allowed to play because he didn't play in the NHL last season.

''I feel there's been a grave injustice done here,'' Fleury said. ''Like I said, we're going to take it as far as we can to make a point. We had four letters from the highest-ranking people in hockey. You know, obviously there's more to it than that and we're going to make sure that this doesn't happen to anyone else again.''<

Fleury was hoping to help the Thunder in its bid to win the Allan Cup this year. The playoffs have already started.

Fleury made headlines last week when the Thunder of the North Peace Hockey League announced they had signed him.

But just hours before the former NHLer was to step on the ice for his first game, Hockey Alberta announced he was ineligible.

The native of Russell, Man., had 1,088 points (455 goals, 633 assists) in 1,084 career NHL games.