Pittsburgh Penguins bring back three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury on PTO for preseason game

The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken a touching step to pay tribute to one of their legendary players by bringing goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury on board with a professional tryout contract (PTO).

This gives Fleury, who played his first 13 seasons in the NHL with the team, a chance to hit the ice in Pittsburgh for a memorable preseason appearance.

Marc-Andre Fleury returns to Pittsburgh Penguins after 22 NHL seasons

After a 22-season NHL career that concluded with the Minnesota Wild, Fleury is making his return. He was the first overall selection by the Penguins in the 2003 NHL Draft and began his professional career in Pittsburgh in the 2003-04 season.

He stayed with the team all the way through the 2016-17 season, playing a key role in the franchise's achievements.

The PTO signing is a meaningful full-circle moment, giving Fleury the chance to wear the black and gold of the Penguins again in front of their home crowd.

The move to welcome Fleury back is driven by the organization's aim to pay tribute to his legacy and the close relationship he has with the team, the fans, and the city. In the press release, Dubas elaborated on the reasoning, mentioning, "The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh.

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.

”

He later added, “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.".

Marc-Andre Fleury honored with PTO as tribute in Pittsburgh

The main reason for giving Fleury the PTO was to honor his contributions and provide a festive farewell in the city where his NHL journey started. The press release emphasized Fleury's achievement as a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins in 2009, 2016, and 2017.It also highlighted his record-setting accomplishments in the franchise, such as 691 games played, 375 wins, and 44 shutouts, which are the best for any goaltender in Penguins history.

These facts were shared straight from the Penguins' official announcement.Dubas's comments in the press release made it clear just how emotionally and culturally important Fleury is, highlighting his influence that goes beyond just numbers. The organization saw this as a great way to honor Fleury's character and the standard he set while he was with them, as reflected in Dubas's statements to the media in the release.Also Read: “Everyone’s got to find a new level”— Connor McDavid sets the tone for Edmonton Oilers heading into 2025–26This PTO appearance is a cool way for the Penguins to mix nostalgia with their current preseason events, making sure Fleury's return is short but unforgettable. All details come from the official Penguins press release by Kyle Dubas.