Marc-Andre Fleury has had the rare pleasure of playing his entire career on one team, until now.

Fleury’s first 14 years in the league were spent in the Pittsburgh organizations, and from starting his career playing alongside one of his idols, Mario Lemieux, to winning three Stanley Cups. Now, he is starting the next chapter in his career with a brand new team, the Vegas Golden Knights.

With Matt Murray emerging as the No. 1 goaltender in Pittsburgh, the timing makes sense for Fleury who looks poised to be one of the faces of the franchise, but it’s still going to hurt him to leave.

Fleury used one of the more common ways to say goodbye in today’s world and that is through a piece on The Players’ Tribune. In it, he speaks about the early years in his career with Mario Lemieux, the Penguins first two times in the Cup Final, and close to the end he says a special goodbye to Sidney Crosby.

 

“Thanks, Sid, for all the years. We spent a lot of time together, always sat next to each other on the plane, behind one another on the bus, plus all the dinners before every game on the road. Thanks for helping me get through tough times and for being a good friend. It’s tough to say goodbye. I know we were both trying to avoid it. You’re the best. Next time we face each other, make sure you keep your head up. The poke check will be coming, like that one time in Rimouski.”

It wasn’t all gooey stuff though, he did tell some really cool stories of his time in Pittsburgh. Those include keeping the first puck that Mario Lemieux shot at him and forgetting his stick in his first home game.

“Everyone knows him as Le Magnifique, a hockey legend. I always loved watching him growing up. I remember the first time I stopped Mario in practice. It was a simple warmup shot. But you better believe that I kept that puck — and still have it at home. Mario is a great role model for me — his loyalty to the team, his contributions to the community, how he handles himself and how he and Nathalie raised four great, humble kids. I’ll always be thankful for their support throughout the years.

 

My first home game was against the Kings at the Igloo on Oct. 10, 2003. My dream was becoming a reality. Maybe the excitement was a little high. So high, that, well … I forgot something. As everybody was getting ready to head out of the locker room, I made my way towards the ice, fist bumped a few guys (including Marc Bergevin and Mario) and then I realized that I had forgotten my stick. It was a pretty funny walk of shame past all my teammates to go grab my stick.  As I was walking back, Mario cracked a little smile and said ‘You’re going to need that tonight, kid.”

Fleury will be missed in Pittsburgh and he will miss the city and fans just as much. Read the full piece to hear more about how connected his is to the city, the years of success and how excited he is for the future.