Marc-Andre Fleury’s departure from Pittsburgh was heartbreaking for just about everyone involved.
He didn’t want to leave the only team he’d ever known, fans didn’t want to see their three-time champion and well-respected veteran goalie in another uniform and the Penguins had to make an unenviable choice between logic and emotion.
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On Monday, Fleury
[ wrote a heartfelt farewell ]
to his fans in the City of Champions in The Players’ Tribune.
“I wish I could put into words how much of an impact your support has made on me and my family,” he said. “We have become Pittsburghers. My wife graduated from Robert Morris University, my daughters were born at Magee-Womens Hospital (sorry our commercial has been blasting on your TVs for more than a year), and our first house was in Moon. Pittsburgh and its people will forever be in our hearts.”
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Fleury was selected by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights days after helping the Pens to their third Stanley Cup in his time with the team. The Pens left him exposed to the draft after the emergence of young goalie Matt Murray, Fleury’s heir apparent.
“I don’t know how it will feel when I set foot in the PPG Paints Arena in February as the Vegas goaltender,” Fleury said. “Truthfully, right now I can’t even think about it. But what I do know is that I will be thrilled to see you all again.”