The entire Province of Saskatchewan has about the same number of people as the metro area of Salt Lake City, Utah. This place of approximately a million souls has produced a surprising number of people who've gained national and international acclaim for their achievements.
Some are alive; some are no longer with us. But all are Saskatchewan folks (a few aren't, but we claim them as our own) who've distinguished themselves in their chosen areas of endeavour.
Theoren Fleury (1968- ) Small but mighty, Fleury was a perennial all-star hockey player. Born in Oxbow, Sask., he was the first NHL player to score three short-handed goals in the same game. Fleury starred with the Calgary Flames for 10 seasons, helping the team win the 1988-89 Stanley Cup during his first (though partial) season. After a brief stint with the Colorado Avalanche, he signed with the New York Rangers in 1999, where he added to his impressive career statistics that include more than 400 goals and 1,000 points. Fleury logged a starring performance for the Canadian men's hockey team in its 2002 gold-medal win at the Salt Lake City Olympics. After his courageous 2009 autobiography Playing with Fire discussed his sexual abuse by a former coach, Fleury became an advocate for fellow victims.
