January 30, 2016

Canadian hockey star Theo Fleury is bringing his motivational message to Petrolia.

Fleury – formerly of the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks – was the first personPlayingwithFireHC to speak out about being sexually abused by a former coach. His account of it Playing with Fire is a best seller. He’s now a tireless advocate for mental health.

Town officials recently read about Fleury’s appearance in Timmins and contacted him to see what it would take to bring his motivational message of hope and moving forward through obstacles to Petrolia. He’s set to come to Victoria Playhouse Petrolia on April 6 at 6pm.

“Theo’s story is truly inspirational and encouraging,” says Mayor John McCharles in a news release. He’s encouraging families to come out to the event to hear the message of hope which reflects “change is possible and quitting isn’t an option.”

Fleury will also make an appearance at a student special assembly at LCCVI in the afternoon .

Tickets for the event are $20 and available at the VPP Box Office Feb. 1. Money raised from the event will benefit the Nicol Scholarship Foundation, Petrolia Minor Hockey and mental health education in Petrolia.

Share This

Image
Front Page

‘Absolutely ridiculous’ Lambton left in the dark by York1

August 19, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Dawn-Euphemia Mayor Al Broad says it is “absolutely ridiculous” that York1 Environmental Solutions isn’t communicating directly with Lambton County as it plans an expansion of the former Dresden dump. The township is one of the half dozen small communities in Lambton and Middlesex counties which will see garbage trucks rumbling through town as they head to York1’s

Read More

Image
Front Page

Jackson off to hot start with Yankees affiliate

August 19, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Core Jackson is making an immediate impact with his new team. The LCCVI and John Knox Christian School grad from Wyoming was hitting .294 in five games with the Somerset Patriots after being promoted to AA baseball last week. The middle infielder had five hits, five RBI, four runs scored and four stolen bases before he was

Read More

Image
Front Page

Three Londoners arrested, $1.28M in drugs, guns seized in investigation that started on Walpole Island

August 19, 2026

The Independent Three people have been arrested and almost $1.3 million in drugs, weapons and stolen vehicles have been seized in an investigation that started on Walpole Island. The OPP, Walpole Island Police and political leaders announced the arrests of three people from London, one of whom, police allege,had been bringing drugs to the community. Lambton OPP say the investigation

Read More

Image
Front Page

Sports Briefs: Corunna’s Birch wins OHL leadership award

August 19, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Kitchener Rangers Chief Operating Officer Joe Birch has been awarded the David Branch Leader of the Year for the 2025-26 OHL season. “Birch has set a standard for leadership that reaches every corner of the Kitchener Rangers organization,” said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford in presenting Birch with the award at a recent league gathering. Birch, originally from

Read More