Marc-Andre Fleury has already retired from playing professional hockey, but that’s not stopping him from seeing action with the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Friday, the veteran netminder put pen to paper to sign a professional tryout contract with the team that welcomed him in the NHL over two decades ago.
Fleury is not expected to be on the Penguins’ final roster for the 2025-26 NHL season, but he will be patrolling the crease in a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, according to the Pens’ official website.
“The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh,” general manager Kyle Dubas shared.
“This past year everyone witnessed how beloved and respected Marc is in the game of hockey, but the adoration goes beyond his accolades and career. Marc means so much to our team, our fans and the City of Pittsburgh because of the person he is and the example he set. The Penguins feel he and his family are most-deserving of this opportunity to celebrate this full-circle moment back where it all started in front of the black and gold faithful.”
Meanwhile, Fleury’s wife, shared a short but meaningful take on Fleury’s reunion with the Pittsburgh franchise. In an Instagram Story post, Veronique Larosee Fleury wrote “FULL circle” on a reshared photo that shows the 40-year-old goaltender flexing his three Stanley Cup rings with three mini-replicas of the Stanley Cup in the foreground.
Fleury began his NHL journey in 2023, when the Penguins took him first overall in that year’s NHL draft, making him just one of three goalies in the history of the league to be taken No. 1 in his draft class.
Fleury spent his first 13 seasons in the NHL with the Penguins before suiting up for three more teams, namely the Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild. During his unforgettable stint with the Penguins, Fleury posted a 375-216-68 record to go with a .912 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average.