Marc-Andre Fleury was inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame on Wednesday night, and the moment that got to him didn’t come from anyone in the room. It came from a video message sent by Sidney Crosby.
The two spent years together in Pittsburgh, winning three Stanley Cups and becoming close friends along the way.
Sidney Crosby’s tribute to Fleury
Before any of that, though, they were junior opponents – Crosby with the Rimouski Océanic, Fleury in goal for the Cape Breton Eagles – and Crosby couldn’t resist opening with that.
“Thinking back to those days it was awesome to play against you. I don’t think I scored on you in the Q,” Crosby said with a sly smile. “That changed when we got to the NHL. But you’ve had an incredible career. I’m really happy to see you get this achievement. I hope you enjoy the night with friends and family. Congratulations.”
He also recalled the first time he ever lined up against Marc-Andre Fleury in Cape Breton, and the image that stuck with him: a young goaltender in bright yellow pads, limbs going in every direction.
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Then the tone shifted, and Fleury – already visibly emotional watching from his seat – got to hear what Sidney Crosby believes actually explains a 21-year NHL career.
“His attitude and mindset that he brought to the rink every day. He had a great attitude,” Crosby said. “I think no matter what was going on, whether we were winning or losing or things were going good or bad, he came with that same drive, that same energy, that enthusiasm, every single day.”
“That’s contagious. That’s fun to be around. You can see wherever he played that that’s something that everyone who had the opportunity to play with him really appreciated,” Crosby added.
The QMJHL shared the footage on Thursday, noting that Fleury was “visibly moved by the message he received from his good friend Sidney Crosby.”
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