The Pittsburgh Penguins are welcoming back legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for a final exhibition appearance in front of adoring fans at PPG Paints Arena.

Though Fleury bid farewell to the NHL following the 2024-25 season, he agreed to a professional tryout agreement on Friday. The 40-year-old netminder will suit up for Pittsburgh’s Sept. 27 preseason home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He will also join the Penguins for a Sept. 26 practice.

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Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsAaron Doster-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsAaron Doster-Imagn Images

“The entire Penguins organization is honored to welcome Marc-Andre Fleury back to the ice in Pittsburgh,” Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “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. 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.”

Let’s be clear. Fleury is not signing for the remainder of the season. He won’t be coming out of retirement – aside from this one-off exhibition.

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When Fleury takes his place between the pipes for one last time in a Penguins uniform, there will be an outpouring of love and appreciation for Fleury’s role in guiding the Pens to three Stanley Cup championships.

It will be an emotional moment for Fleury, the Penguins organization and their fans. Fleury will eventually have his No. 29 raised to the rafters. He will be remembered as the most successful goaltender in franchise history and one of the best netminders of his generation.

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on during the national anthem prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at PPG PAINTS Arena. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on during the national anthem prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at PPG PAINTS Arena. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Fleury achieved everything that the Penguins hoped for when they selected him with the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL entry draft. Across 691 regular season games in the “Steel City,” he posted a 375-216-68 record along with a .912 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average.

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After leaving Pittsburgh, he would capture his lone Vezina Trophy in 2020-21, after posting sparkling numbers with the Vegas Golden Knights. That season, he registered a 26-10-0 record with a .928 save percentage and a 1.98 goals against average.

But his stops in Vegas, Chicago and Minnesota were footnotes in a career that belonged to “The ‘Burgh.”

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.