Fleury signs autographs for fans in Cranberry Township
CRANBERRY TWP — It is expected that Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will be announced Wednesday as an expansion draft pick of the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Droves of Penguins fans showed up at Dick’s Sporting Goods Tuesday night for an autograph opportunity and to show the netminder what he has meant to hockey in Pittsburgh and to the city in general.
Fleury signed for 250 fans, though nearly 400 showed up with the hopes of catching a glimpse and photo of the outgoing star.
“It’s really flattering,” said Fleury shortly before the autograph session began. “I’m told they waited in line a long time for this. That’s crazy.”
Fleury, 32, contributed to three Stanley Cup championships during his 13 seasons in Pittsburgh, including one this past season. He won 18 games in net in the 2016-17 regular season, playing much of the campaign behind the younger Matt Murray. But an injury to Murray in April thrust Fleury into a starting role for the first two rounds of the NHL playoffs. The latter led the Pens to series wins over Columbus and Washington before Murray regained the net during the Eastern Conference finals against Ottawa.
Fleury commented on how he hopes to be remembered in Pittsburgh.
“I love the game, I gave it my all and I was part of successful teams,” he said. “Pittsburgh is my home and it will be tough to leave.”
