Full Breakdown
Marc-Andre Fleury's Farewell: A Final Game and Lasting Pranks
9/30/2025, 2:48:31 AM
Final Game in Pittsburgh
Marc-Andre Fleury, a celebrated goaltender and three-time Stanley Cup champion, returned to Pittsburgh for a final farewell during a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 28, 2025. Fleury, who officially retired from the NHL after the previous season with the Minnesota Wild, signed a ceremonial professional tryout contract to reconnect with his former teammates and fans. During the game, he stopped all eight shots he faced in the third period, contributing to a 4-1 victory for the Penguins. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting “Fle-ury” and “One More Year” as he took the ice.
A Legacy of Pranks
Fleury is renowned not only for his impressive career—ranking second in NHL history with 575 wins—but also for his playful spirit. On the day of his final game, he executed one last prank on his former teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. While they were inside practicing, Fleury had the number ‘29’ and flower decals affixed to their cars. Crosby remarked on the prank, stating, “I think it’s even more impressive that there’s no proof... We know it’s him, but we don’t really have any proof besides the 29 on my door.” Letang humorously noted that he anticipated being targeted, saying, “When Geno came in screaming, I kind of knew that something was up.”
Emotional Farewell
As the game progressed, the crowd showed immense appreciation for Fleury. In the final moments, fans chanted “Thank You Fleury,” and after the game, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang shared a heartfelt embrace with him in the crease. Crosby reflected on the experience, saying, “Every time he touched the puck, the reception was unreal. It felt like a playoff game. It was nice to get him the win.” Fleury’s connection to Pittsburgh is profound; he was the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft and played 13 seasons with the Penguins, solidifying his legacy within the franchise.
The Final Shootout
The evening culminated in a shootout, marking Fleury's last moments on the ice. Blue Jackets rookie Luca Del Bel Belluz scored the final goal against him, prompting mixed feelings. Del Bel Belluz expressed, “It was obviously good that I scored. But yeah, I feel like I kind of ruined the party for him there.” Despite this, the night was primarily a celebration of Fleury's illustrious career and his enduring impact on the Penguins and their fans.
Conclusion
Marc-Andre Fleury's return to Pittsburgh served as a poignant reminder of his contributions to the franchise and the joy he brought to the game. His final prank, emotional farewells, and the love from fans encapsulated a career that will be remembered for both its achievements and its lighthearted moments. As Fleury moves on from the ice, his legacy as a player and a prankster will undoubtedly endure.
