Marc-Andre Fleury Not Done Playing Hockey Just Yet… and What About MN Wild EBUG Duties?

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Marc-Andre Fleury - Minnesota Wild
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Marc-Andre Fleury is officially finished with his 21-year NHL career, after announcing his retirement and meeting with media for his Minnesota Wild 2024-25 exit interview early Monday afternoon. The Quebec native leaves the NHL after 1,051 games played (575-339-97) with an incredible 2.60 goals against average and .912 save percentage.

Fleury started his professional career as the No. 1 overall pick from an iconic 2003 first round NHL Draft class that included Eric Staal (No. 2), Thomas Vanek (No. 5), Ryan Suter (No. 7), Zach Parise (No. 17), Brent Burns (No. 20), Brent Seabrook (No. 14), Ryan Getzlaf (No. 19), Ryan Kesler (No. 23) and Corey Perry (No. 28).

Retired Marc-Andre Fleury playing for Team Canada in Worlds

But if you want to see Marc-Andre Fleury take the ice in games that matter one more time, then make sure you are watching the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden from May 9-25, where both Fleury and his old buddy Sidney Crosby have already signed up to play for Team Canada.

It will be the first MAF has ever suited up for the IIHF World Championships. In fact, Fleury hasn’t gotten much run with Team Canada, since he turned 21. He played in the U-20 World Juniors back in 2002-03 and 2003-04 (10 games, 1.70 GAA, .923 Save %) and made one Canadian Olympic Team (2010), but didn’t get an appearance in net.

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But could it be possible, someway-somehow, we see Marc-Andre Fleury take the ice again in a MN Wild uniform? Well, his teammates are trying to convince him to sign on as the 2025-26 emergency goalie, since the Fleury’s are staying in the Twin Cities area, post-retirement. NHL emergency goalies must be at the ready for all home games and they can be activated for either the home or visiting team.

Marc-Andre Fleury interested in Minnesota Wild EBUG duty?

When asked by media on Monday if he is open to such a role, the 40-year-old Fleury confirmed that he hasn’t shot it down yet. The MN Wild activated their emergency goalie one time in 2024-25, and the EBUG has actually taken the ice at Xcel Energy Center only a few times in franchise history.

Russo: ‘[Your teammates] joked about you being the EBUG. In all seriousness, can you see yourself around the team a lot, throwing on the pads next year at all?’

Fleury: “Yeah, why not? I don’t know, I’d have to talk to Billy [Guerin] and [John] Heinzy about it, but if Gus needs a day off or gets sick or something, or Wally, yeah why not? It’s a good workout, get a good sweat and have fun with the guys, so…”

Closing MN Wild Player Press Conference of 2024-25

Of course, it’s unlikely Fleury is willing to commit to emergency goalie duty next season. I’m sure he wants to be available to help the Minnesota Wild, but that might be too much of a commitment. If he wants to split time with current EBUG Connor Beaupre offered on X to split the job with the NHL Hall of Famer.

How good was Fleury with/before MN Wild?

Not only is Flower a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he’s in the conversation as the best goalie in NHL history, winning THREE Stanley Cups and being named to FIVE All-Star Games, though he only played in one (2010-11).

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Marc-Andre Fleury’s 1,051 games played are the second-most of any goalie in NHL history, behind only Martin Brodeur (1,266), who also stands as the only goalie with more wins (691) in his career than MAF’s 575 victories. Fleury’s 76 career shutouts are tied for 10th-most all-time.

CareerGPGSWinsLossesTies/OT/SO
Loses		GAASave %SOQSGPS
MA Fleury1,051886575339972.60.91276489182.9
NHL Rank2nd2nd8thT-20th63rd50thT-10th4th
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