Retired Fleury to suit up for Pens in exhibition

PITTSBURGH -- Marc-Andre Fleury is ending his NHL vocation backmost wherever it began.

The seasoned goaltender, who officially retired past outpouring pursuing a 21-year career, signed a nonrecreational tryout declaration with the Penguins connected Friday and is going to suit up for the nine during Pittsburgh's accumulation crippled against Columbus connected Sept. 27.

The 40-year-old Fleury was taken No. 1 wide by the Penguins successful the 2003 NHL draft. He spent the archetypal 13 seasons of his vocation successful Pittsburgh, helping longtime teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang triumph 3 Stanley Cups. Fleury near the Penguins erstwhile helium was selected by Vegas during the enlargement draught soon aft Pittsburgh won the 2nd of back-to-back championships successful 2017.

"Marc means truthful overmuch to our team, our fans and the City of Pittsburgh due to the fact that of the idiosyncratic helium is and the illustration helium set," Pittsburgh wide manager Kyle Dubas said successful a statement. "The Penguins consciousness helium and his household are astir deserving of this accidental to observe this full-circle infinitesimal backmost wherever it each started successful beforehand of the achromatic and golden faithful."

Fleury, known universally arsenic "Flower," was incredibly fashionable with teammates and fans alike. He ranks 2nd each clip successful NHL past successful victories (575) and won the Vezina Trophy successful 2021 portion playing for Vegas.

Yet helium is astir well-known for his agelong tenure successful Pittsburgh. Fleury holds astir each large goaltending grounds successful Penguins history, including games played (691), wins (375) and shutouts (44).