Penguins fans honor Marc-Andre Fleury after final game in Pittsburgh

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury played his final game in Pittsburgh tonight, where he was honored by fans with loud cheers and chants of “Fleury! Fleury! Fleury.”

Following the Wild’s 5-3 victory over the Penguins, Fleury was named the first star of the game.

With the crowd roaring and giving a standing ovation to their former goaltender, Fleury took to the ice to wave to the fans. Longtime teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang were all on the ice to share the moment.

“I feel very fortunate. Thank you guys.” an emotional Fleury said to the crowd. “Those were some of the best years of my life, and I really appreciate it. It’s so hard to say bye, but thank you so much”

Fleury spent 13 seasons with the Penguins after being taken No. 1 overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Fleury has compiled one of the most accomplished careers for a goaltender in NHL history, capturing three Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

During the 2020-2021 season, while playing for the Vegas Golden Knights, he had a 26-10-0 record with a .928 SV% and 1.98 GAA, earning both his first-ever William M. Jennings Trophy and his first-ever Vezina Trophy.

The Sorel, Quebec native re-signed with Minnesota on a one-year, $2.5 million contract and it will be his last season in the NHL. In 21 NHL seasons, Fleury has appeared in 1027 contests, compiling a record of 562-330-97 with a .912 SV% and a 2.60 GAA with the Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fleury, who turns 40 in November, climbed to the No. 2 spot on the NHL’s all-time wins list. With 19 more games, he can pass both Patrick Roy and Roberto Luongo for second all-time in games played by a goaltender.

The Wild are slated to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Minnesota is currently 6-1-2 and sits third in the Central Division.