Fleury family’s emotional rollercoaster nearing its end

Feature Photo: Getty Images

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Veronique Larosee Fleury is still grasping the thought of her husband’s impending retirement from professional hockey.

In a campaign that marks the final chapter in a brilliant NHL goaltending career for Marc-Andre it’s understandable of course, given the emotional rollercoaster of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Case in point, Fleury was called to action last-minute for overtime duties on Tuesday for his final regular-season game, after making his final start on Minnesota last week. With the game tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, teammate and starting netminder Filip Gustavsson suggested the idea to head coach John Hynes which spurred chants of “Fleury” to rain down at Xcel Energy Center as the goalie made five saves to earn his 575th and final win.

“I feel like we were in denial – it’s hard to believe it’s really happening,” Veronique told NHLPA.com. “But Marc is very good at reminding us.”

Those reminders include numerous walks down memory lane for the couple, who married in 2012 and share daughters, Estelle and Scarlett, and son, James.

“Marc’s agent [Allan Walsh] sends the kids videos from when Marc was drafted, which shows just how long he’s been in the NHL,” said Veronique, of her husband who was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003. “They’ve really enjoyed looking back at moments from before they were born and seeing where he was in his career.”

There have also been tears along the way, especially lately.

On April 9, the man affectionately known as Flower, made his final home start for the Minnesota Wild in a game against the San Jose Sharks.

Before the puck drop, Veronique snapped a photo of Estelle, Scarlett and James, who were each wearing their dad's No. 29 jersey, as they watched him in pre-game warmups. The picture was then shared on Veronique’s Instagram account, accompanied by the words: "One last time," along with a crying emoji.

The siblings also joined their dad on the ice before the game, which would see the Wild come out on top in overtime. The kids were moved to tears as their father left the ice.

“The last game [home start] was such a surreal experience,” said Veronique. “It started off very emotionally when the kids went on the ice. Then the team won, and you realize just how much you’re going to miss those moments.

“It feels surreal. I don’t know when it is going to hit.”

There will be no shortage of great moments for the Fleury family to look back on.

Marc-Andre, currently in his 21st NHL season, won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the first of which stands as one of Veronique’s  favourite moments in her husband’s career.

In Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final, Marc-Andre made a crucial stop against Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings with seconds remaining on the clock.

“When I see that save, it still gives me chills,” said Veronique. “It has left me with one of the best memories of his career.”

There have been many more along the way.

Sharing those moments with their children has been deeply meaningful. Another standout memory was Marc-Andre’s 1,000th game celebration, when the kids read the Wild's lineup card in the locker room before the game.

“Now, it’s just watching kids watch him and being so proud of what he has done.

“It was important to Marc that he would still be playing when our son, who just turned six, would remember it. The girls, Estelle, who is almost 12 and Scarlett, who is nine, are into hockey and James really got into hockey this year. He is obsessed. He watches the highlights, and he loves the players. It is very special to see Marc’s career through their eyes.”

And what a career it has been.

Marc-Andre’s 575 career wins are the second most in NHL history, behind Martin Brodeur. His 1,051 career appearances are the second most, also behind Brodeur. His 76 shutouts are tied for 10th on the all-time list, alongside legends Tony Esposito and Ed Belfour. 

Those numbers, however, don’t tell the entire story of Marc-Andre’s impact on the game.

Beloved by teammates, past and present, teams throughout the season have recognized his contributions, including a raucous ovation from fans in his hometown of Montreal and hugs and handshake lines led by Alex Ovechkin.

“People have been very nice, even coming up to us when we are out, and saying how appreciated and kind Marc is,” said Veronique. “That has been great for the kids to see and hear. It’s important for them to know he is a good person. That is a great thing to show children.

“I am so proud of his personality. Even in the tough moments in his career, he has always been respectful. I feel like everyone appreciates him as a person, that he is respected all over the league.”

Another reason, admitted Veronique, as to why it has been difficult for her to come to terms with her husband’s soon-to-be retirement.

There is comfort in knowing the tight-knit Fleury clan has much to look forward to.

“Marc has always enjoyed spending time with us. He plays with the kids, so they are excited that he is going to be home more. They love to play mini-sticks with him. The girls are excited that he is going to be able to come and see their soccer games – he is just a very hands-on dad.

“And we know he is a kid himself,” Veronique added with a laugh. “We’re very casual people. We like to stay home when the kids don’t have sports. On weekends, there is usually something happening where we have to drive them somewhere. If not, we play board games, mini-sticks, and card games.”

One thing in the cards is staying put in Minnesota for most of the year. In the summer, the family will head back to Montreal.

“It is going to be different, we just bought a house here,” said Veronique. “We’re still going to be close to the team, so we are excited for that too. Since we are going to be back here after this summer, it will be less drastic for us.”

What is in store for Marc-Andre in his post-NHL life remains unknown for now.

“It’s hard to know what is next because it doesn’t feel like it is happening,” said Veronique. “We don’t know what is going to be next for him, so it is both exciting and stressful – I’m not going to lie.”

One guarantee is that Veronique won’t be on the receiving end of pranks pulled off by one of sport’s greatest practical joke artists.

From former Penguins teammates Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to a host of his others throughout his NHL career, Marc-Andre has pulled off masterful pranks on numerous unsuspecting players.

He has managed to keep those antics at the rink.

“Marc knows better [than to try that with me],” said Veronique with a laugh. “But he is definitely great at it.”

Just as the future Hockey Hall of Fame inductee has been for 21 NHL seasons between the pipes.