A Final Skate in Black and Gold
In a move celebrated by hockey fans across the league, legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is set to make a final appearance for the team where his illustrious career began. The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Friday that they have signed the 40-year-old netminder to a professional tryout (PTO) contract, paving the way for a proper send-off in the Steel City.
According to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com, Fleury will join the Penguins for practice on Friday, September 26, 2025. He will then suit up one last time to play in parts of the team’s preseason exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, September 27, at PPG Paints Arena. This event will provide a full-circle moment for Fleury, who officially retired following the 2024-25 NHL season.
A Celebration of a Franchise Icon
The decision was met with widespread enthusiasm from the organization and its fanbase. Fleury remains one of the most beloved figures in Penguins history, and this final game is seen as a fitting tribute to his legacy.
“The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh,” said President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas in a statement. “This past year everyone witnessed how beloved and respected Marc is in the game of hockey, but the adoration goes beyond his accolades and career. Marc means so much to our team, our fans and the City of Pittsburgh because of the person he is and the example he set. The Penguins feel he and his family are most-deserving of this opportunity to celebrate this full-circle moment back where it all started in front of the black and gold faithful.”
An Unforgettable Career
Selected by Pittsburgh as the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Fleury spent the first 13 seasons of his 21-year career with the Penguins. He was an integral part of the team’s core, backstopping them to three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017. His impact on the franchise is etched in the record books, where he remains the all-time leader in several key goaltending categories.
- Games Played: 691
- Wins: 375
- Shutouts: 44
After his tenure in Pittsburgh, Fleury’s career continued with the Vegas Golden Knights, whom he led to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, followed by stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild. He retired as one of the most accomplished goaltenders in NHL history, with his 575 career wins ranking second all-time only to Martin Brodeur. Over 1,051 regular-season games, he posted a career 2.60 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage with 76 shutouts. His individual accolades include winning the Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy in 2021 and being selected for four NHL All-Star Games.
The upcoming preseason game is more than just an exhibition; it’s a final chance for Pittsburgh fans to cheer for “Flower” in his home arena, celebrating a career that brought immense success and countless memories to the city.
