It’s not decided if Marc-Andre Fleury plays next season, and with retirement rumors swirling, the Minnesota Wild’s game against the Penguins, in Pittsburgh, got a whole new meaning on Monday.
Fleury is a Penguins cult hero, as he was a huge part in leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships.
This Monday’s matchup (specify the date if possible) could’ve been Fleury’s last game in Pittsburgh, and everyone expected him to get the start. But instead, Filip Gustavsson started between the pipes.
It was later revealed that it was Fleury’s wish not to start the game and that he wanted his emotional return when he retired, which may not even happen next year.
But Fleury still had time to entertain his former home crowd with an adorable moment with a young fan, making her night during warmups.
The young fan had made a homemade sign that read, “Fleury is my middle name!” with a really cute heart drawn in the corner.
When Fleury saw the sign, he skated over and acknowledged the fan, and he even posed for a photo with the young girl.
The video of Fleury making the kid’s night quickly went viral, with everyone absolutely loving Fleury’s gesture.
Fleury is one of the most well-liked figures in all of hockey, and he holds a special place in all Pens fans’ hearts. And things like this prove exactly why.
Fleury stayed with the Pittsburgh Penguins until 2017, when the Golden Knights selected him in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
On social media, opinions were mixed about Fleury not getting the start in his return to Pittsburgh, in what could’ve been his final game there.
But we’re absolutely sure he’ll get the praise and love he deserves once his Hall of Fame career has come to an end.
