The Minnesota Wild topped the Pittsburgh Penguins in what is likely goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s final game in the Burgh.
Fleury, 39, was drafted first overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins out of Quebec and spent his first thirteen seasons of his career in the Steel City, including three Stanley Cup victories.
He was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, and he spent four seasons with the team, winning the Jennings and Vezina Trophies in 2020-21. Fleury then spent half a season with the Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Minnesota Wild in 2022, where he has remained until today, where he is a backup to Filip Gustavsson.
Fleury has made every indication that the 2024-25 season will be his final before retirement, so everyone’s eyes were pointed at October 28th, when the Penguins would play the Wild in Pittsburgh.
While the Wild were arriving at PPG Paints Arena, Fleury walked into the tunnel to be surprised by a massive number 29 – Fleury’s number – comprised of flowers, which plays on Fleury’s nickname: Flower.
Before the game, Fleury received a standing ovation from the entire arena, and he would start in goal against his former team.
Throughout the game, the jumbotron in the PPG Paints Arena would play several videos going over Fleury’s achievements – and pranks – in Pittsburgh, each of which was meant with chants from the crowd and rousing ovations.
Fleury saved 34 of 37 shots, which was good for a roughly 92% save percentage, and was named the Star of the Game. After the contest, which ended 5-3 in Minnesota’s favor, Fleury was interviewed while the Wild and former teammates Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby remained on the ice.
“It’s maybe hard to believe this is the last time,” an emotional Fleury told the media. “But so appreciative, from the bottom of my heart, with what everyone has done for me over the years, for all the support.”
“I feel very fortunate,” Fleury added. “The years here were some of the best years of my life…It’s hard to say bye.”
