One-on-One With the Minnesota Wild's Marc-André Fleury

MAF is answering the big questions.

If you’ve followed the NHL for any length of time, chances are you’ve heard the name Marc-André Fleury, also known as “Flower.” He started his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003 and then spent time with the Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild. He went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Penguins during his amazing 21-year career that’s also involved winning both the Vezina and William Jennings Trophies.

Fleury has also put his name in the history books outside of the Stanley Cup wins as he’s currently second in NHL history with 570 wins. He’s also currently third in most games played by a goaltender with 1,039.

Fleury is planning to retire at the end of this season. He took some time to answer a few questions exclusively for the Hockey Writers on a variety of topics, starting with how things have changed in the NHL over the years.

Out of your 20 years in the NHL, what do you think of all the goalie equipment changes?

“I think the jerseys shrunk; I think they used to be really baggy or big, between your arm and your chest. It was wide, so sometimes you feel like (you’re) almost trapped, get a little extra. The blocker got a little smaller. The gloves are different, smaller. The pants got tighter. I think the one thing I didn’t mind was the pads because you could go as long as you wanted. I feel like they were long sometimes. You almost get caught in them. I feel like they narrowed them a bit and then a little more short. I think it made goalies more agile.”

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve noticed league-wide outside of being a goaltender?

“I think the speed of the game. It used to be more physical. It was a lot more holding, big guys holding, holding onto the guys (who) couldn’t skate as fast. There’s obviously some very fast skaters, but I think the game itself was not that quick. The other thing I’ll notice is the shots because when I played, the guys had the wood stick or two-piece stick. Since they got those one piece (now) and they keep making them lighter, and better flex, now everybody shoots the puck very well.”

What’s it like being a backup during a game, but also be ready to go?