According to a new autobiography making waves in the Canadian media, Theo Fleury acknowledges he was allegedly sexually abused by junior coach Graham James, a convicted sex offender, while he played for James, and attributes that to driving him to alcohol and drugs during his NHL career.

The book Playing With Fire is Fleury’s first comment on the subject, which has been speculated about for years. He also writes that he failed 13 drug tests during his career, but was never prevented from playing.

James forced himself on Fleury during the player’s junior days in Winnipeg, Fleury wrote.

He added, “Graham was on me once or twice a week for the next two years. An absolute nightmare, every day of my life.”

NHL officials are not prepared to comment on the book’s allegations at this time.
James is a well-known Canadian junior hockey coach. He served 3½ years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing some of his players. They include Sheldon Kennedy, the only player prior to Fleury to go public. James currently coaches junior hockey in Europe.

(via ESPN)