Marc-Andre Fleury signed a professional tryout with the Pittsburgh Penguins to end his career with the team that drafted him.
Fleury announced his retirement from the NHL last spring but signed a PTO with the Penguins. He will appear in one period against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27. Fleury said he’ll stay retired regardless of how well he plays.
“I don’t like to say I wanted to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Fleury said to NHL.com. “I don’t want to disrespect the Minnesota Wild. I played my last game with them. I signed my last contract with the Wild. They did a lot of things for me. I wanted to go back to where it all began for me. I see it as a nod. I’ll wear the Penguins jersey for one last time and see old teammates and friends. It’s a way to come full circle.”
Fleury was selected first overall in 2003 by the Penguins and spent his first 13 seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. The goalie was a key part of the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
Despite Fleury still succeeding last season, he said he is retired and doesn’t plan on having a comeback. Instead, this is a chance to play in one period and practice a couple of times with his former team and teammates.
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“I’m staying retired,” Fleury said. “I’ll play one period against the Blue Jackets and participate in two practices with the Penguins. At my age, that’s plenty.”
Fleury was a five-time NHL All-Star.
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