Marc-Andre Fleury Surpasses Patrick Roy with Historic Win

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury achieved a momentous milestone on Monday night as he surpassed legendary goaltender Patrick Roy to become the second-winningest goalie in NHL history. Fleury, who hails from Quebec, idolized Roy throughout his upbringing and now sits just below Martin Brodeur on the all-time win list.

Fleury’s record-breaking performance came in a shutout victory against the New York Islanders, where he made an impressive 21 saves to secure his 74th career shutout. The 39-year-old goaltender, fondly known as ‘Flower‘, expressed his gratitude towards his teammates and mentors for their support throughout his remarkable journey.

Reflecting on his journey, Fleury stated, ‘My dream was to play in the NHL. I was so happy to play in that first game. From there on, it was just one game at a time, one win at a time, just trying to win the next one. I’ve been very fortunate to play with many great teams, great teammates, people who helped me stay healthy through the journey. It’s so crazy to be here now’.

Fleury’s career has been nothing short of exceptional. Selected as the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003, he defied the odds as goalies are rarely chosen at such a high position in the draft. Prior to Fleury, only two goalies had been picked first overall, with relatively limited success. Fleury, on the other hand, has made his mark by playing in 1,007 games, earning four All-Star appearances, and winning the prestigious Vezina Trophy in the 2020-2021 season.

His most memorable accomplishment came in the 2008 Stanley Cup Final when he led the Penguins to the championship, despite falling short against the Detroit Red Wings. However, he redeemed himself in the following season by helping the Penguins defeat the Red Wings and securing his first Stanley Cup victory. His incredible performance included a crucial save on defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom in the dying seconds.

As Fleury continues to play in the final year of his contract with the Wild, speculation remains about his future in the NHL. Although he hasn’t officially announced his retirement plans, he has undoubtedly solidified his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside legends like Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy.