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Fleury suspended by Chicago after violating abuse program

CHICAGO -- Blackhawks forward Theo Fleury was suspended indefinitely by the league on Tuesday for violation of his substance abuse aftercare program.

The 34-year-old, who has struggled with substance-abuse and anger-management problems, signed a two-year, $8.5-million contract with the Blackhawks on Aug. 15.

He said he missed two practices last week because his father had surgery to remove a tumor.

Drs. Dave Lewis and Brian Shaw of the NHL Players' Association Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program are administering Fleury's care.

"Theoren will continue to be assessed, an appropriate treatment program will be put into effect, and his progress will be monitored regularly," Shaw said. "Our primary objective is for Theo to restore appropriate balance to his life and thereafter to be able to resume his career."

Said Lewis: "This course of action is best-suited to Theoren's situation. He needs time away from the game in order to work on his issues."

General manager Mike Smith said Fleury is expected to remain in Chicago during his suspension, adding that the right wing will not be fined. "It's a suspension without pay. That's a very significant cost," he said.

Fleury reported his aftercare program violation, which occurred in the past week or so, Smith said.

Under terms of the program, Fleury will not be eligible for reinstatement until cleared by the supervising doctors.

Fleury voluntarily entered the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program on Feb. 28, 2001, while a member of the Rangers. He was cleared to resume playing on Sept. 4, 2001.

The 5-foot-6 Fleury was one of the top players in the first 101/2 years of his career in Calgary. He scored 40 or more goals three times and had a career-high 104 points in 1990-91.

BRUINS: Center Joe Thornton was designated captain by coach Robbie Ftorek.

"I was very excited and honored when Robbie told me," Thornton said. "You see the guys that have been captain of this team, and it's a little mind-boggling that I'm going to be one of them."

The Bruins were without a captain last season. Jason Allison was captain in 2000-01, but was traded to the Kings last season.

Thornton becomes the 17th captain in the 79-year history of the team, joining John Bucyk, Dit Clapper, Milt Schmidt and Cooney Weiland, among others.

Thornton, in his sixth season with the Bruins, has scored 20 or more goals in each of the past three seasons, including a career-high 37 in 2001.

CAPITALS: Restricted free agent Dainius Zubrus signed a two-year contract. He had a career-high 17 goals and 43 points last season, when he moved from left wing to center on a line with Jaromir Jagr after Adam Oates was traded.

Zubrus was drafted No. 15 overall in 1996 by Philadelphia. The Capitals acquired the Lithuanian in a trade with Montreal in March 2001. He has 66 goals and 155 assists in 422 games.

The signing leaves restricted free-agent forward Andrei Nikolishin as the Capitals' only holdout. On Monday, the team signed first-round pick Steve Eminger and acquired forward Mike Grier from the Oilers.

Center Colin Forbes, right wing Ivan Ciernik, defenseman Todd Rohloff, center Brian Sutherby and goalkeeper Craig Billington were assigned to AHL's Portland.

KINGS: Free-agent defenseman Brad Norton signed a one-year contract. Norton, 27, went to training camp with Los Angeles after playing 22 games for Florida last season. The Kings sent defenseman Jason Holland to AHL's Manchester.

PANTHERS: Wing Kristian Huselius and Ivan Novoseltsev were placed on injured reserve. Defenseman Igor Ulanov was reassigned to AHL's San Antonio and defenseman Lukas Krajicek to OHL's Peterborough.

PENGUINS: Defenseman Mike Wilson, who spent most of last season in the minors after signing a $2-million contract, was assigned to AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Wilson had a goal and an assist and was a minus-12 in limited playing time in 21 games with Pittsburgh last season.

SABRES: Restricted free-agent Vaclav Varada agreed to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Playing primarily on Buffalo's top checking line, Varada had seven goals and 16 assists in 76 games last season.

SENATORS: Forward Jason Spezza, the second overall pick in 2001, was sent to AHL's Binghamton. Spezza was a key part of the trade that sent center Alexei Yashin to the Islanders last year. Also demoted were forward Brad Smyth and defenseman Brian Pothier as Ottawa finalized its 23-man roster.

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