Marc-Andre Fleury’s enduring legacy

Over his twenty-one seasons in the NHL Marc-Andre Fleury built a legacy as an elite goaltender, possessing infectious charisma, and a deep love for the game. Known for his quick reflexes, signature smile, and well-established reputation as a prankster, he earned great respect from teammates, opponents, and fans, making him one of the most beloved hockey figures. One that will be sorely missed now that he has finally hung up his skates. 

Before every game, Marc-Andre Fleury had the same routine: he stretched, joked with teammates, and smiled like it was to be another day at the rink. But once the puck drops, he would get dialled in. Whether it was his tenth game 1000^th career game, he still played with the same energy.  

Fleury has always been a definite character. In the NHL he is highly known for being the prankster of the league. Over the years, his mischievous sense of humour has made him beloved in every locker room he has been a part of. But his most recent prank war with Brandon Duhaime might go down to one of the greatest battles yet. It had all started when Duhaime took a jab at Fleury in an interview, “I mean for him to do this at 50, it’s special and he’s awesome. He’s a great teammate, a great player and you see what he’s doing out there at 50.” Naturally Fleury then immediately launched a counterstrike by stealing his clothes such as his shoes and shirt.  

Even when Duhaime had become a member of the Colorado Avalanche he took the feud on the road literally. When the Avs came to Minnesota for a game, Duhaime exacted revenge by wrapping Fleury’s car with 90 rolls of toilet paper.  

Fleury, however, was not going to be outdone when it comes to pranks. The following week, the Wild had come to Colorado, and during an Avs practice, Fleury had made a quick detour to Home Depot to buy soil and potted flowers to put on the hood of Duhaime’s car while also putting a “for sale” sign. That had read “If you would like to know where the keys to the lock are and the tools to put the tires back on send me an apology video.”  

After this Duhaime was forced into making an apology video. It’s safe to say Fleury has won this prank war against Duhaime for now. 

Fleury made his NHL debut as an 18 year-old drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003, making 46 saves against the Los Angeles Kings.  

In 2009, Fleury entered the playoffs in great form, playing a key role in getting the Penguins to the finals. In a tense game seven against Detroit, he made one of the most iconic saves of his career—throwing his body in front of a last-second shot by Nicklas Lidström to protect a one-goal lead. That moment helped secure the championship, and Fleury would go on to win two more Stanley Cups with the Penguins, cementing his place in team history. 

In 2017, Fleury got picked by the Vegas Golden Knights in the entry draft and became a fan favourite for Vegas’s new franchise. His old teammate Sidney Crosby was positive about change, telling TSN insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, “Goaltenders are strong mentally and competitive . .  . .Flower is the same, he believes in himself and loves the game. He wants to be there helping the team making the big saves.” 

In the course of his last season with Vegas, Fleury won his first Veznia trophy, being honoured as the best goalie for the 2021 season.  

Fleury announced his retirement in ending his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild after playing with them for four seasons. The Wild this season had gotten into the playoffs going against Vegas, but they had sadly lost in game six.  

“I love my teammates, I love my team here too. I thought the guys played so well in the playoffs and gave a good run,” Fluery said in an interview. “Vegas is one of the best teams in the League, and we all believed we could come back and have a chance there. I don’t know. It’s like, you know it’s coming, right? I knew it’s coming, but it’s still sad when it happens for real.”  

His teammate, Brock Faber, had commented on playing with Fleury in the same interview, saying how it has impacted him to play with such a character as Fleury. “Being able to share the same sweater as him is something that I will never take for granted. It’s something I will tell my kids, and something that I will brag about to all my friends and family forever,” said Faber.  

Marc-Andre Fleury is not just one of the best goalies of this generation, even though he should get his flowers for that, he also has a personality that brings energy, humour, and leadership. Through a career that includes both jaw dropping saves and mischievous pranks, Fleury’s love for the game shines through.  

Cover Image: Minnesota Wild on YouTube