OTTAWA | Marc-André Fleury has received hundreds of messages and calls since he overtook Patrick Roy for second place in the NHL for most victories at 552.
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Although he says he is still overwhelmed by this wave of love and has not yet had time to respond to everyone, Fleury highlights a routine call with his mother, France, as the moment that most affected.
“After the match, I ended up talking to my mom. I know that my father [André] would have liked to see that. He was a man who loved hockey. He was my biggest fan.”
Shortly after his father passed away in November 2019, Fleury added a quote from his father behind his mask: “Put your eye on it. You play like you practice. Have fun. Pa [Papa].”
From above, the father certainly had a smile on his face after the Wild’s 5-0 win against the New York Islanders on Monday in St. Paul. Fleury stopped 21 shots to get his ninth victory of the season, but also his 552e since his NHL debut.
Incredulous
When the Wild arrived Wednesday night in Tampa, number 29 returned a text from Newspaper to talk about the feelings inside him.
“Yes N. Looks like that’s not true, he said. When you think about all the goalies who have played in the NHL. For me, it’s an honor. I’m lucky to have played hockey this long and to have played for so many good teams. When I was younger, I had idols like Martin [Brodeur] and Patrick [Roy]. They passed on to me a taste for hockey and a taste for becoming a goalie.
“Patrick was an idol in my childhood,” he continued. It’s an honor to be able to surrender to him and surpass him. But Patrick has more draws than me. It helps me catch up!”
In 1,029 NHL games, Roy finished with a tie 131 times. Brodeur, the king of victories at 691, has 105. In Fleury’s case, he only twice experienced the feeling of a match ending with an identical score.
In the last few weeks, the goaltender from Sorel reached another symbolic milestone by playing a 1000th game in the NHL. Only four goaltenders have managed to get 1000 games in the NHL and all four are from Quebec with Brodeur (1266), Roberto Luongo (1044), Roy (1029) and Fleury (1007).
“To my 1000e match, I received some nice surprises. Martin made me a video, just like Roberto and Patrick. They sent me messages. That was really cool of them. They took the time to greet me with beautiful words.”
A first shutout
During a visit to Philadelphia last week, Sidney Crosby and Kristopher Letang said they were waiting for the 552e victory of their great friend before writing to him. They kept their word by each writing him a message.
Author of his 551e victory on January 6 against the Blue Jackets, Fleury lost his next two starts against the Dallas Stars and the Philadelphia Flyers. But the third attempt was the right one. And to add to his showmanship, he earned his 552e game with a shutout.
Archive photo, AFP
“It was my first this year, it was about time,” replied the 39-year-old Quebecer. Honestly, we’ve lost a lot lately. It’s about time we won one. I was surprised by the guys’ celebration at the final siren and in the locker room after the game. There was a lot of energy. Personal goals are less important, but they can sometimes become a sort of common goal. I felt like my teammates were pushing to see me succeed. It was heartwarming.”
After the game, Fleury spent time with his wife and three children in the Wild locker room. He wanted to immortalize the moment.
“My youngest, James, is four,” he said. I hope he can remember it too. I would like him to keep some of his dad’s great hockey moments. And it’s the same for my two older daughters.”