Marc-Andre Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh for a final farewell was an emotional and significant moment. Fleury, who officially retired from the NHL at the end of last season as a member of the Minnesota Wild, signed a ceremonial professional tryout contract earlier this month to play one last game with the Penguins. This encounter allowed the iconic goaltender to reunite with former teammates and friends, closing a circle and completing a 21-season NHL career that began in Pittsburgh.
A special match
In his last game with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury stopped the eight shots he faced during the third period, in a 4-1 preseason win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.Fleury, a Vezina Trophy winner who also played with Vegas and Chicago, is second in NHL history, behind only Martin Brodeur, with 575 wins and 1,051 regular season games played. His 76 NHL shutouts are tied for tenth in league history. The night was dedicated to celebrating Fleury, known for his time in Pittsburgh, where he won three Stanley Cups. He holds almost all of the important goaltending records in Penguins history, including games played (691), wins (375), goals-against average (2.58), shutouts (44), playoff games (115), playoff wins (62), and playoff shutouts (10). Fleury chose to play the third period to try to win one last game with the Penguins. The exhausted crowd gave him a standing ovation as he took to the ice. Chants of “Fle-ury” and “One More Year” echoed through the stadium, and fans erupted in applause every time Fleury made a save.It was a bit surreal, a bit crazy, but also comfortable. When I played here with other teams, I always felt a bit weird, but this felt normal… like it used to be.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Fleury spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Penguins, winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016, and 2017. Pittsburgh selected Fleury in 2003, and his presence helped stabilize the franchise. His most iconic moment with Pittsburgh was in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final against Detroit, where he made a crucial save to secure the victory and the championship. Before the game, fans gathered to see Fleury in his last warm-up with the team, taking photos and videos, wearing jerseys with the number 29 and showing their affection for the goalie. It was surreal to be back with the Penguins and see the guys in front of me. It was incredible. It was like old times.Every time he touched the puck, the reception was incredible. It felt like a playoff game. It was good to get him the win.
Sidney Crosby
