Marc-Andre Fleury will get a chance to say goodbye to Pittsburgh Penguins fans in person.
General manager Kyle Dubas announced Friday that the 40-year-old netminder is joining the team he spent the first 13 seasons of his career with on a professional tryout basis and will play parts of a Sept. 27 exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh,” Dubas said 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.”
A native of Sorel-Tracy, Que., Fleury announced his retirement last spring after 21 NHL seasons with the Pens, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.
During his career, Fleury was a four-time All-Star, won three Stanley Cups and was the 2021 Vezina Trophy winner. His 575 regular-season wins are second-most in NHL history.
Internationally, Fleury represented Canada on multiple occasions and was a member of the squad that won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Fleury will officially rejoin the Pens for a practice on Sept. 26.