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"Pure class" "Absolutely sweetheart": NHL fans left in awe as Marc-Andre Fleury makes surprise visit on ice with Penguins ExcelHA kids
It's going to be the end of an era in the National Hockey League following the 2024-25 season, as goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will be calling it a career.
The former first overall pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003 currently serves as backup to Filip Gustafsson with the Minnesota Wild and agreed to a one-year contract extension in April, his last in the NHL.
The Wild are in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night and Fleury demonstrated his good nature by making a special on-ice visit with the youngsters of the Penguins’ EXCEL Hockey Academy.
Fleury chatted with one of the young goaltenders on the ice before exiting. He's known for his charity work and interactions with fans and this only added another layer to his already rich legacy.
Fans reacted on social media, voicing their love for the former Penguins goaltender, who could be a Hall of Famer down the road.
"Absolute sweetheart of a man for doing this," wrote @maddiemorph.
"Fleury is a man of the people, always been like this. Two minutes of his time means the world to these kids. Glad to see this," exclaimed @hockeybarn_.
"Wish we had him a little earlier in his career before he got here but it's awesome we get to watch him on his way out. Pure class," wrote @BenTuckner.
The fan adulation continued:
"How exciting for them! He's an all around great guy, and such a great example for them to talk about and remember for years to come," exclaimed @faithfulone33.
"Future Hall of Fame Goalie, intense competitor and quality human being. “Flower” made a life long impression on these youngsters, a day they’ll be able to talk about as they grow older and share with their own children. I salute you sir!" exclaimed @bellaschmint021.
"THIS is what sports are all about," added @justryan1010.
It's clear that Fleury has left an indelible impression on the fans of hockey!
Marc-Andre Fleury will face his old teammates for the last time
While most of Fleury's former Penguins teammates have moved on or retired, the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust remain with the club.
“It’s always weird coming back and being on the other side,” Fleury said. “Can’t say I’ve had my best games here, playing against them, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m lucky we’ve got a couple days in town, so it’s good to walk around a bit, see some old faces....So it’s always special coming back, and looking forward to (Tuesday’s) game.”
Fleury was welcomed back to Pittsburgh with a touching video tribute upon his very first trip back to PPG Paints Arena as a member of the Golden Knights, whom he helped to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season after being taken first in the 2017 Expansion Draft.
Fleury, who won the Stanley Cup as a starter with the Penguins in 2009 while also backing up Matt Murray in Pittsburgh's Cup wins of 2016 and 2017, is second overall in NHL history amongst goaltending wins with 562. Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur is first overall with 691, a record unlikely to be broken.
In addition to his time in the NHL, Fleury has also represented Canada on the international stage.
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