Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury departing NHL for overseas career following his last game.
Breaking Tales: Token Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury Makes a Return on Team Canada for World Championships
In a thrilling twist, veteran hockey player Marc-Andre Fleury, who recently wrapped up a 21-year NHL career with the Minnesota Wild, will put his skates back on, this time for Team Canada in the 2025 World Championships. The tournament, held annually during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, gives a platform for top-tier players whose teams have fallen short in the playoffs or missed out entirely.
Fleury's selection for Team Canada marks his first-ever participation in the World Championships. With a legendary career that includes three Stanley Cup titles, it's only fitting that he steps onto the ice once more. Interestingly, he'll be back in the net with Sidney Crosby, his long-time Penguins teammate, who was the initial high-profile figure announced for the Canadian squad. Dean Evason, who previously coached Fleury in Minnesota, will serve as the team's mentor on the bench.
Team Canada is brimming with youthful exuberance and experienced talent, blending both to create an unstoppable force on the ice. Their adversaries in the tournament will include Slovenia, who they square off against at Stockholm's Avicii Arena. The team aims to surpass their fourth-place finish at the 2024 World Championship.
Meanwhile, Nathan MacKinnon, whose Colorado Avalanche lost in a heartbreaking Game 7 against the Dallas Stars, will also join Team Canada for the event. While no other Wild players have confirmed their participation as of yet, considering the tournament hosted in Sweden and Denmark, it's not unusual to see Joel Eriksson Ek swooping in to represent Sweden in the arena.
Although the Wild won't be graced by Fleury's imposing presence next year, hockey fans still have a fortune to look forward to, with a National Legend stepping up between the pipes for Team Canada at the World Championships. They make their debut against Slovakia on May 6, 2025. So gear up for an unforgettable series of games, because it's Canada vs. the world!
Inside Scoop
- Being a three-time Stanley Cup champion, Marc-Andre Fleury is set to share his invaluable experience in the net as a Team Canada participant. He will join forces with Sidney Crosby, providing mentorship, stability, and keen competitors' insights.
- Competing with Team Canada, Fleury will have the chance to reunite with his former teammate, Sidney Crosby, who will be instrumental in leading the team with his exceptional offensive skillset.
- Team Canada boasts a stellar mix of experienced NHL veterans and promising prospects, strategically balancing veteran leadership and youthful agility.
- The 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship will take place across two locations—Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark—from early May to May 25, with Team Canada's first game being against Slovenia at Sweden's Avicii Arena.
- Team Canada's primary objective is to outshine their fourth-place finish in the 2024 World Championship.
- With Marc-Andre Fleury's return to the ice for Team Canada at the 2025 World Championships, viewers can expect a blend of his invaluable experience, mentorship, and keen competitors' insights in the net.
- Mark-Andre Fleury, who will be joining forces with Sidney Crosby, will have the chance to reconnect with his long-time Penguins teammate during their time together on Team Canada.
- In the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, Team Canada will showcase a dynamic mix of experienced NHL veterans and youthful prospects, aiming to outperform their fourth-place standing in the 2024 World Championship competition.
