“I watched him in training and still thought he was so good and fast. I asked him how old he thought he was and he told me he was 34 today with a big smile on his face.
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Filip Gustavsson was putting his pads away when he shared this little anecdote while talking about his teammate in front of the Minnesota Wild net, Marc-André Fleury.
Fleury is not 34 years old. He probably still carries it in his heart. He is 38 years old and will be adding a candle to his birthday cake on November 28th.
At 38, he is the oldest goaltender in the NHL. He is also the third oldest player in the circle after Mark Giordano and Joe Pavelski, both 39 years old.
The Wild lost 7-4 to the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday and took to the ice at the Bell Center on Monday on the eve of a game against the Canadians.
On this Wild season’s only visit to Montreal, Dean will logically trust Evason Fleury. As Gustavsson’s assistant in the first two games, he will be in the starting lineup for the first time this season. Symbolically, it could be one last round for him at the Bell Center.
“Yeah, I’m thinking about it,” he admitted. I’ve said it before, I’m not sure what I want to do yet. But I am aware that this may be my last meeting here. It’s important for me to play this game in front of my family and friends. I want to make as much of it as possible.”
After his press conference with journalists from Minnesota and Montreal, Fleury talked a little more about a possible retirement after this season.
“It’s the last year of my contract so it stays in my mind,” he explained. However, I don’t want to be the player who changes his mind. I have a way out.”
Above all, victory
Fleury entrusted his younger sister Marylène with a mission. She is the one who has to manage the number of tickets for this meeting.
“I just counted and we came to over 80 people,” wrote Number 29 in an evening text exchange with Le Journal.
Photo David Berding/Getty Images/AFP
Despite his vast experience spanning 985 games, Fleury wasn’t sure how to deal with his emotions.
“We’ll see. I can imagine that the nervousness will increase. I want to savor the moment and enjoy it. But the most important thing will be to win and get the two points. I have to concentrate on this goal.”
A goal in mind
If this season proves to be a swansong and signs point in that direction, Fleury may have enough time to accomplish important goals.
He will need 15 games to reach the 1,000 milestone in his career, a feat achieved by only three goalies: Martin Brodeur (1,266), Patrick Roy (1,044) and Roberto Luongo (1,029).
With 544 wins to his name, he still needs to win seven games to reach second place in goalkeeping history with Patrick Roy (551). Martin Brodeur can still sleep soundly, his record of 691 victories will last for a few more years.
“I don’t want to sell the bear’s fur until I kill it. But if it happens, it would be an honor. “For me, Patrick was an idol,” recalls Fleury. He was a real winner. His playoff record proves it. He was a fighter. But I find it strange to be in the same sentence as him.”
When asked if he ever thinks back to his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005-06, when he was just 18 years old, Fleury smiles.
“I wouldn’t say I take the time to sit down and think about old things. “I like watching older videos and seeing old teammates,” he replied. It seems like it goes by so quickly. I don’t have the best memory. As a goalkeeper you want to forget quickly!”
A golden teammate
There are the 544 wins, the 985 games, the three Stanley Cup rings and the four grand final appearances. But beyond the numbers is the man behind the mask.
Fleury is always described as an exemplary teammate.
“It’s definitely always fun to play in Montreal and everyone knows that Flower is one of the best teammates in the world, if not the best.”
Frédérick Gaudreau was invited to center ice with Fleury at the end of Wild practice to run routes and spoke happily about No. 29.
Getty Images via AFP
Gaudreau has learned a lot from Fleury since the Wild acquired him from the Blackhawks in March 2022.
“It’s great, I’m very happy to have worked with him over the last few years and that it continues like this.” Nicolas Deslauriers told me: “You’ll see my big, he’s the best teammate you can have.” I had heard the legend from him and many other people. It was confirmed and even better. I feel very blessed to count him as a friend. She is a golden person.”
A mentor for Gustavsson
The Wild likely passed the torch during the playoffs last spring. Filip Gustavsson made the last four starts in the first round against the Dallas Stars after a rotation system in the first two games.
Gustavsson is the goalkeeper of the future in Minnesota. And he is the one who holds the number one position at the start of the season. The 25-year-old Swede has developed a very nice relationship with Fleury.
“It’s unbelievable. From the day I was traded, he called me directly and told me to call him if I needed help and that he would do his best, said Gustavsson. He was always nice and funny to me. We get along well. He’s also helped me with things off the ice: how to behave, like finding your way in this league. He’s been here in the NHL since I was five years old, he knows , what needs to be done in this league!”
“I have a good relationship with Gus,” Fleury added. He’s a bon vivant, a good guy. I like sharing things with him. I can learn from him too. He’s from the new school.”