MAF is answering the big questions.
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The Hockey Writers – NHL Stuff
Jan 18, 2025
If you’ve followed the NHL for any length of time, chances are you’ve heard the name Marc-André Fleury, also known as “Flower.” He started his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003 and then spent time with the Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild. He went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Penguins during his amazing 21-year career that’s also involved winning both the Vezina and William Jennings Trophies.
Fleury has also put his name in the history books outside of the Stanley Cup wins as he’s currently second in NHL history with 570 wins. He’s also currently third in most games played by a goaltender with 1,039.
Fleury is planning to retire at the end of this season. He took some time to answer a few questions exclusively for the Hockey Writers on a variety of topics, starting with how things have changed in the NHL over the years.
Out of your 20 years in the NHL, what do you think of all the goalie equipment changes?
“I think the jerseys shrunk; I think they used to be really baggy or big, between your arm and your chest. It was wide, so sometimes you feel like (you’re) almost trapped, get a little extra. The blocker got a little smaller. The gloves are different, smaller. The pants got tighter. I think the one thing I didn’t mind was the pads because you could go as long as you wanted. I feel like they were long sometimes. You almost get caught in them. I feel like they narrowed them a bit and then a little more short. I think it made goalies more agile.”
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve noticed league-wide outside of being a goaltender?
“I think the speed of the game. It used to be more physical. It was a lot more holding, big guys holding, holding onto the guys (who) couldn’t skate as fast. There’s obviously some very fast skaters, but I think the game itself was not that quick. The other thing I’ll notice is the shots because when I played, the guys had the wood stick or two-piece stick. Since they got those one piece (now) and they keep making them lighter, and better flex, now everybody shoots the puck very well.”
What’s it like being a backup during a game, but also be ready to go?
“I don’t know. I never plan to go in. I’d always rather cheer on Gus. When it comes to games, (we) chit-chat a little bit. (Filip Gustavsson could be heard saying “liar” as a joke). Talk about good stuff. Just try to cheer on the teammates, but it’s obviously kind of slow. More boring maybe, right? You just sit there and chew gum, right? It’s more fun to play.”
What’s it like being a mentor to other players like Gus and Wallstedt?
“I feel like they’re both very talented goalies. They’re both very good people also. I don’t feel like I have to sit down much. Sometimes we talk a little bit. Sometimes we talk about my experience throughout the years but no, I don’t feel like I need to sit down and have a class. I think they’re both great goalies.”
What do you think of the team’s player-inspired shirts?
“I really enjoy them. I think it’s always when we get to the game and the locker room, it’s nice little a surprise. Oh, who do we got today? Then it’s always usually something funny, right? So, I like them, keep them around; I think it’s cool.”
Of the team’s you’ve been on, what’s been your favorite, player of the game award you’ve seen? (Examples, current hard work necklace, viking helmet, etc.)
“Yeah, oh man, that’s tough, I feel like; it’s many years. Yeah, I forget. I can not give you an answer because I don’t remember everything. I think one year we had a real WWE like belt, so that was pretty nice. It was actually heavy and big.”
Are there any changes you’d like to see over time after your playing days are done?
“One thing is maybe have a little less of a grey area when it comes to goalie interference. I think everybody that watches the replay should know if it’s a goal or not. I feel like now things happen (such as) challenges, but you’re still on the fence. I think if it could be something a little more black and white, that would be good.”
Everyone has seen you thank the post both in practice and games, when did that start?
“I was just a little kid because I was a big Montréal Canadiens fan and Patrick Roy was the goalie there. I was a big fan of his. Then he said he would talk to his, maybe not all the time but I caught an interview where he said he talked to his posts: ‘let’s have a good game and help him out right’ so since then I always say thank you/merci in French and give a little love.”
What will you miss most after you retire?
“What will I miss most? I don’t know because I haven’t been yet, from what I heard from different ex-teammate I played with. I think they miss the locker room to be with a bunch of guys every day. It’s fun right? You hear so much dumb stuff but it’s always for a laugh. There’s so many good laughs. The other thing I think I’ll miss is the competition, the intensity of a game, the little bit of butterflies, the stress and the feeling of winning because you’re playing some of the best players in the world. When you can win a game that feeling that you get inside is good and I don’t know where else I can get that.”
If you could give a young hockey player/goaltender advice, what would it be?
“I think one goal at a time. But like my dad always told me, just work your butt off, try your best every time you’re on the ice (for) practice, games because you got to play the way you practice. So if you practice hard, then the games (will follow) and (you’ll) have fun. I think that’s the most important things for me. That’s probably why I played for so long. I love competing with the guys in practice and games and love the game of hockey, so have fun.”
Favorite moment of your hockey career?
“Oh my gosh, hanging with Tony on the bench (as Tony DaCosta, head equipment manager, walked by). I think probably my first Stanley Cup. There’s a few, at some point, my dream was to make the NHL so when I played that first one I thought it was the coolest thing ever. To play a game in the NHL was so fun. The welcoming I got in Pittsburgh was awesome too. So all of this together and then the first Stanley Cup. You want to win a Cup when you’re a kid out in the street. (When you) play hockey, you always think you’re playing Game 7, and you win the Cup, and I was able to make a save at the end of Game 7 and win.”
Fleury is One of a Kind
It was so fun to listen to Fleury talk about his career and watch him interact with fans during games and practices; he knows how much it means to kids to meet their idols.
He always waves, signs autographs, and does anything he can, even if it takes him extra time out of his day. He’s had a fantastic career, and hopefully, he’ll be able to end it on a high note with a deep playoff run with the Wild.
