Marc-Andre Fleury Returns to Penguins Practice Ahead of Final Preseason Game

Marc-Andre Fleury, the longtime Penguins goaltender who retired this offseason, returned to Pittsburgh on a professional tryout contract and practiced Friday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex before suiting up for parts of Saturday’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena. The announcement drew large, emotional crowds — with fans traveling hours to see his “swan song” and describing him as an idol — prompting the team to warn the facility could reach capacity and to admit attendees on a first-come, first-served basis with security screening. Penguins president/GM Kyle Dubas said the organization is honored to welcome Fleury back to celebrate a full-circle moment and to recognize the person he is beyond his accolades. Fleury’s decorated career includes being the 2003 first-overall pick, holding many Penguins goaltending records (games, wins, shutouts), three Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, a Vezina Trophy with Vegas, and 1,051 NHL games across four teams. The team also notified fans that Fleury merchandise would only be available when gates open Saturday, and reiterated the practice schedule (morning skate and a noon practice) ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop.