Fleury Closes Legendary NHL Career Where It All Began: Pittsburgh
Photo taken on 19 April 2007 by Flickr photos
Written by Gina Anton
After 21 remarkable seasons in the National Hockey League, Marc-André Fleury, one of Canada’s most celebrated goaltenders, officially closed the final chapter of his impressive career on Saturday night, September 27, 2025. Though he had retired with the Minnesota Wild, Fleury returned to the ice one last time on a professional tryout contract (PTO), allowing him to finish his career with the team that drafted him first overall in 2003: the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The move was both symbolic and sentimental. Fleury spent 13 seasons with the Penguins, capturing three Stanley Cup championships and creating his legacy in the franchise. Returning to Pittsburgh for his final appearance wasn’t just about nostalgia, it was about honoring the roots of a career defined by loyalty and resilience in the goal.
Sunday night’s exhibition game was more than a preseason matchup. With Pittsburgh leading 2-1 heading into the third period, Fleury took the ice to defend the Penguins’ net one final time. At 40 years old, he delivered an iconic performance, stopping all eight shots he faced in the final frame and helping seal a 4-1 victory.
“I didn’t want to cost them the game,” Fleury said during the postgame press conference. “I didn’t want to give up six goals and look like an idiot. It ends well. I was really happy that I didn’t embarrass myself too much.”
The moment was a fitting tribute to a career. Though Fleury has officially retired and has no plans of returning to the NHL, Sunday’s performance allowed him to go out on his terms—poised, proud, and victorious.
Career Highlights: A Legacy Etched in NHL History
Marc-André Fleury’s career is filled with unforgettable moments that defined both the man and the player. Here are just a couple of the iconic highlights from his two-decade tenure in the league:
1. 2009 Stanley Cup Final — The Save That Sealed a Championship
In what remains one of the most iconic moments of his career, Fleury delivered a championship-saving stop in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final. With just seconds remaining, Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom fired a last-ditch shot from close range. Fleury, diving post-to-post in desperation, managed to get a piece of the puck, preserving a 2-1 lead and securing Pittsburgh’s third Stanley Cup title. It was a moment of sheer athleticism, poise under pressure, and the kind of magic that defines champions.
At just 24 years old, Fleury had reached the peak of the sport—a testament to his growth since being drafted six years earlier. The save not only earned him a place in Penguins lore, but it also symbolized the trust and belief the organization had placed in their young goaltender.
2. 2014 — Glove-Side Greatness Against Karlsson
Fast forward to 2014: With the Penguins locked in a 1-1 battle against the Ottawa Senators, Erik Karlsson—then among the league’s best defensemen—unleashed a brutal shot aimed for the top right corner. Fleury, with poise, delivered a spectacular glove save at full extension, robbing Karlsson of what looked to be a sure game-winner.
The moment captured everything fans loved about Fleury: his lightning-quick reflexes, and the ability to change the course of a game in an instant. It was yet another example of why he remained one of the most entertaining and effective goaltenders in the NHL for more than two decades.