While his last NHL game is behind him, future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Marc-André Fleury isn’t hanging up the skates just yet. He told reporters during today’s end-of-season media availability that he’s accepted an invite to join Canada at this year’s World Championship (via Michael Russo of The Athletic).
It’s unclear whether he plans on entering any game action, but there’s a decent chance he could. Canada’s only rostered one of three goalies for the tournament so far. That’s Rangers prospect Dylan Garand, who will likely serve as a No. 3 option behind Fleury and another NHL option. The latter could be the Blues’ Jordan Binnington after St. Louis was eliminated in last night’s Game 7 loss to the Jets, but that’s speculation.
As for the 40-year-old Fleury, it’ll be his first time at the Worlds. Despite his lengthy list of accolades, Fleury’s only gotten the call to play for the senior Canadian national team once. That was the 2010 Winter Olympics, and he didn’t get into game action there as the third-stringer behind Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur. His unavailability for the Worlds has usually been due to playoff obligations, but with his Wild being bounced by the Golden Knights in the first round, he’s free to join his countrymen in Denmark and Sweden. He did suit up at the World Juniors in 2003 and 2004, though, posting a .923 SV% in 10 appearances en route to back-to-back silver medals.
He’s still technically a gold-medal winner on that Olympic team, so a gold at the 2025 Worlds could make him the first goaltender to gain entry into the Triple Gold Club. The most recent Canadian to enter the ranks was defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, thanks to his 2019 Stanley Cup win with the Blues.
Fleury, a first-overall pick and a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, will also get to bookend his career by being teammates with Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby once again. With Fleury’s lack of international experience, they haven’t been on the same side of a matchup since Vegas selected Fleury from the Pens in the 2017 expansion draft.
Hopefully he gets at least a quick look in this series. Would be great to see him just one more time. I hate to say this about a long-time Penguin, but a lot of respect for this guy. One of the best to ever do it.
It pains you to say something nice about a guy because of the uniform he wore? Seems like you may be taking sports a bit too seriously.
It’s not that deep man.
I never accused you of having any depth. Just an irrational seriousness about sports.
He is going to play at least one game. Depending upon third goalie. He may rotate. Sure He is going because of Crosby one last chance to play together. I cheer for people not laundry as Seinfeld calls it. Which is what you do if cheer for jersey regardless of who is wearing it.
Yes!! Crosby now Fleury! Not a chance I’m missing this tournament.. I hope Nate jumps on board for this one!
As much as I want my leafs to win 12 games in a row lol….I want this to happen just as a fan of the game