“Kept all the memories from my time here,” Marc-Andre Fleury opens up about EMOTIONAL bond with Pittsburgh despite split in 2017

Fans were beyond upset to see their favorite goalie take the backseat during the game between Pens vs. Wild. But was his decision a positive hope for next season or a silent goodbye?


“Kept all the memories from my time here,” Marc-Andre Fleury opens up about EMOTIONAL bond with Pittsburgh despite split in 2017

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury [Image Credit: Imago]

The whole arena vibrated on Tuesday when Pittsburgh fans got to know their favorite goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will be taking the backseat in the game between the Penguins and Minnesota Wild. Despite his divorce with the Pens in 2017, he still remains close to the hearts of their fans.

During the game the Penguins fans started chanting, “We want Fleury! We want Fleury!” as the Wild’s head coach John Hynes named Filip Gustavsson as the starting goalie. Rather than playing against his former team, he backed the Wilds in the team’s latest 4-3 comeback win against the Boston Bruins.

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While some blamed the coach for making him sit out, some pointed to Fleury and Gustavasson’s performance in the season, and others talked about a possible positive news outbreak. Fleury also shared his emotions on playing against his former team, stating:

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I’ve kept all the memories from my time here. I’ll have them forever.
Marc-Andre Fleury as per Rob Rossi of The Athletic.

He admitted missing the Pens fans and players “a little bit…sometimes.” He was once part of ‘Foundation Four’ along with Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin. Following his departure from the team, they came to be known as ‘The Big Three’, with Fleury being the OG.

Marc-Andre Fleury reveals real reason behind sitting out during game between Wilds vs. Penguins

NHL veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stated that it was part of his decision to stay behind the benches during the game between the Wild and the Penguins. Not only did he not produce results in top condition this 2023-24 season, he also didn’t want to face his former team whom he loved so much.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury [Image Credit: Imago]
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury [Image Credit: Imago]

‘Flower’ admitted that he feels “awkward” to face them as he misses them very much. He misses having dinners with them and the time spent on travel, and just skating along. His heartfelt speech made many emotional as they love to see ‘Flower’ no matter which team he is on now.

Sometimes, it’s a little awkward facing them and stuff…my career, it’s 20 years, and it feels like - It’s gone by so fast…I was here.
Marc-Andre Fleury as per Hockey Feed.

Before Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh, it was widely debated whether it would be the last season the NHL veteran would stand in front of the net. No rumors were confirmed by ‘Flower’ himself, but he stated he’s not “necessarily retiring after this season.”

And Fleury himself says he’s not necessarily retiring after this season, he doesn’t love playing there as a visitor and his emotional return ‘night’ to Pittsburgh will come when his HOF career is over.
Marc-Andre Fleury statement according to Michael Russo on X.

Despite how much fun-loving he is, he may not be really a fan of big sendoffs or goodbyes according to his statements and record. Minnesota Wild insider Michael Russo commented on X that “he doesn’t love playing there as a visitor”, but he’ll suit up “when his HOF career is over.”

Currently, he’s only four games away from marking 1,000 career games and three games away from tying his idol Patrick Roy for 2nd most wins in NHL history. Only time will tell if the recent game against the Penguins was his final goodbye or if he’s planning to stay around for next year.

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