In 2003, things were looking pretty bleak for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. The team had just missed the playoffs for the second-straight season. Jaromir Jagr had been gone for two seasons, and Alexei Kovalev was just traded that spring. All that was left for the Penguins fans was Mario Lemieux and the uncertainty of what was to come in the years ahead.
At the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville, Tennessee, the Penguins had the third-overall pick. They needed a big building block to place at the foundation of their new era of Penguins hockey. They traded up to the first-overall pick, selecting Marc-Andre Fleury, a goaltender they hoped would become a star. What he ended up becoming, was much more.
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It’s hard to put into words how much the fans in Pittsburgh adore Fleury. He comes with a personality that endears him to everyone that watches him play. He’s a fun-loving guy who plays the game of hockey with a child-like enthusiasm. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and the people of Pittsburgh appreciate that.
When watching him play this past Sunday against the Penguins for the last time before he retires, it made me want to reflect on some of the more memorable moments of his career.
Fleury’s Debut on Opening Night 2003
His first start with the Penguins came when he was only 18 years old. I was at the arena that night, there was a buzz in the building as everyone wanted a glimpse of hope in those dark years. Fleury dazzled fans with his athleticism and quick side-to-side movement, and he ended the night with a stop on a penalty shot.
He was the unquestioned star of the game, even though he gave up two goals in a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Fans didn’t care so much about the outcome as they knew where they would likely end up in the standings that season. What they cared about was seeing the potential of the future and letting their dreams run wild.
I don’t think in their wildest dreams they could have imagined how it would turn out for Fleury and the Penguins. If you told me that night as I walked out of the Mellon Arena…
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