Theo Fleury attends 'Playing with Fire' at Saskatoon's Persephone Theatre

It washockey night at Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon.

Former NHL hockey star Theo Fleury attendedThursday night'sproduction of Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story.

Fleury was one of the young players sexually assaulted by his junior hockey coach Graham James.

• 'I am not a victim': Theo Fleury reacts to Graham James day parole

That and a traumatic childhood preceded his out-of-control life in the NHL, which Fleury has described asa haze of alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling.

It's not the first time Fleury has seen the play based on the book he co-wrote about his life in hockey.

"I sort of came with an open mind, more as a theatre-goer so to speak," Fleury said. "And, you know what I found was, is that I was feeling the same thing that all the people in the audience were feeling."

I really want people to know that healing is possible, no matter what you've gone through.- Theo Fleury, former NHL player and trauma survivor

The play has been previously staged in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Although Saskatchewan is where much of the abuse took place, Fleury said seeing the play in Saskatoon provokedno particular reaction in him.

"The perception is that when you have a life such as the one that I had, that healing is not possible," he said."But I really want people to know that healing is possible, no matter what you've gone through."

In his long emotional journey, Fleury said hehas learned something about childhood trauma.

"I carried something around inside of me which I thought was uncommon, and reallyit is the most common thing that happens in the world."

Book signing brings revelation

Fleury recalled beingin Toronto for the first book signing, and meeting one particular man.

"He gets to the front of the line, he sits the book on the table, looks me in the eye and says 'me too'," Fleury said.

"And that's when I knew the purpose for my life... (an) advocate for other people, helping them find their own voices."

Amid theheavy topicsaddressed in the play, there was also lightness in the hours leading up to curtain-time.

As Fleury happily signed autographs for jersey-clad audience members, others in the crowd played outside in a three-on-three mini tournament, while a vendor served up smokies and other "rink food" specialties.

As for the future, Fleury, will be back inSaskatoon March 1 at O'Brians Event Centrewith his country music bandthe Death Valley Rebels.

• Former NHLer Theo Fleury's story to hit stage in Saskatoon