"He's The Ultimate Team Guy": Canucks Rick Tocchet Shares Found Memories Of Marc-André Fleury Ahead Of His Final Visit To Vancouver

Saturday night marks the final time that Marc-André Fleury will feature on an NHL roster for a game in Vancouver. The Minnesota Wild goaltender and future Hockey Hall of Famer is retiring at the end of the season, ending a historic 21-year career. While Fluery isn't projected to play, do not be surpised if the Vancouver Canucks find a way to honour one of the best goaltenders of the 21st Century.

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Over the last two decades, Fluery has experienced plenty of success in and against Vancouver. He is 16-2 all time against the Canucks and was part of Team Canada's 2010 Winter Olympics team which captured Gold. Fluery has even had success against Vancouver in the playoffs, winning his only start while playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020.

Fluery has had many teammates and coaches, including Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet. The two spent three seasons together with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which resulted in two Stanley Cups. When asked about working with Fluery, Tocchet pointed out just how special a person he is on and off the ice.

"One of my favorite guys, said Tocchet. "I'm not a goalie coach, but one of my favorite guys to be part of a coaching team, to actually be on the same team as a coach. Phenomenal guy. When you talk about a team guy, he's the ultimate team guy. You look it up in the dictionary. I can name a bunch of players, but he's up there. Thinks about the team. Always thinks that every goal is his fault. Never blames his defense. I don't think he's ever looked at a defenseman. I know some guys will look at the D after goals like, What are you doing? He never does that. Like, he's a gem. Love the kid.

As for a special memory, Tocchet pointed to May 10, 2017. The Penguins were playing the Washington Capitals in the second round, with the series needing seven games. In the end, Pittsburgh was victorious by a score of 2-0, with Fleury securing the shutout win.

"He's a winner. Some of the games he's played. I remember Game 7 against Washington. He was playing, and Washington was all over us. I don't know what the shot total was, but they could have been five, nothing, and he kept us in. And I remember talking to Mike Sullivan after the first. I said, we're gonna win this game now. And we took over the game in the second, and we beat a great Washington team in Game 7. But, if it wasn't for Fleury, we wouldn't advance. So that was one of the memories I had for how good he is."

Fans in Vancouver can see Fleury hit the ice one more time at Rogers Arena on Saturday when the Canucks take on the Wild. The NHL's second-most-winning goaltender of all time will also be on Sportsnet's "After Hours" following the game, answering questions from Scott Oake about a career that has spanned over 1,000 regular-season games. Puck drop of Saturday is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.

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