Marc-Andre Fleury, after 21 seasons in the NHL, has decided to take a break, seeking to spend more time with his family and put an end to the tributes on the ice. At 40 years old, he accepts that his performance is no longer the same as before.
However, Fleury is not ready to hang up his skates completely.
In an interview at the end of the season in Minnesota, Fleury revealed that he has agreed to join Team Canada for the ice hockey world championship at the end of this month. With the Wild eliminated from the NHL playoffs four days ago, Fleury’s schedule is free.
“Just a little bit more, right? I went home, my kids were crazy, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I have to keep playing,’” Fleury said jokingly.
Marc-Andre Fleury
After apologizing if he shouldn’t announce his participation yet, Fleury expressed his enthusiasm for reuniting with Sidney Crosby, his former teammate in Pittsburgh.
“I think it will be fun to spend time together and yell at him a little bit in practice, keep him honest,” Fleury said.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Fleury’s participation in the postseason was limited to the third period and overtime of Game 5 against Vegas, due to an illness that forced Wild starter Filip Gustavsson to leave.
The tournament will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, starting on Friday and extending until May 25. Hockey Canada announced on Sunday that Crosby would join the team led by Dean Evason, former coach of Fleury with the Wild, now with Columbus. The only goalie previously announced was New York Rangers prospect Dylan Garand, although another regular NHL goalie will surely be added.
Those who go far in the NHL playoffs, obviously, cannot participate in the world championship, the main reason why this will be the first time Fleury is on the roster. He played in 170 postseason games, participating in three Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Penguins and reaching a fourth final with the Golden Knights.
Fleury played in the Olympics for Team Canada in 2010 as the third goaltender, behind Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur.
