By Jeff Nagle
Riverview - Rushing prospects is not something the Riverview Royals do. Allowing teenagers their time to shine in Loggieville is the stepping stone to the big club. However, there are opportunities where these "kids" can get their moments, and one of those moments came when winger Roby Jarventie suffered a deep bone bruise to his left knee in a game last week against the Bathurst Ducks. While Jarventie was not expected to miss many games, a hole opened up on the red-hot third line, and that was when 18-year-old Theo Fleury got his shot.
It didn't take long for the 4th overall draft pick in last offseason's draft to make his mark. In Friday's game against the mighty Miramichi Moose the energetic forward scored on his first ever ODBHL shot, and then lit the lamp again a mere 40 seconds later. Fleury finished the game with 2 goals on four shots in 11 minutes of work. Very tidy stat line for a third line forward.
"I was ready for it. Credit to the rest of the guys to set me up. Tommy dished it to me in the slot and I had a wide open net for my first goal. It doesn't get any better than that!" said the youngster Fleury of his first ODBHL goal.
In Fleury's second game, the fiery forward once again put up 2 goals, both assisted by linemates Robert Thomas and Jason Robertson. He also had an assist on Robertson's 11 goal of the season early in the first period of a 10-1 romp over the sluggish Dorchester Devils.
Immediately after the game, Fleury was sent back to Loggieville. In his first taste of the bigs, Fleury posted four goals and an assist in two games. He didn't look anywhere out of place and his energy gives Royals fans a lot of excitement of whats to come for the 18-year-old phenom. Many would question why Fleury could be sent down after looking so good in his debut, but its a small sample size, and the Royals have much bigger plans for Fleury in their top six.
"It was a great time here. Looking forward to getting back." said Fleury after being asked what his call-up meant to him.
5/20/2026 - 372 words
