Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin called his teammates back on the ice after a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. The purpose was to pay tribute to legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who announced his retirement at the end of this NHL season.
Ovechkin, focused on his own historic pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record, made sure his team took a moment to congratulate Fleury, recognizing his illustrious career and impact on the sport.
“Yeah, it’s amazing,” said Wild coach John Hynes, according to NHL.com. “I think he deserves all the accolades that he’s gotten. He continues to play well. I think he’s been a great teammate everywhere that he’s been. He’s been a tremendous competitor to compete against. And obviously, the quality of a human being that he is, all those things combined, I think we’re witnessing part of a Hall of Fame player, a Hall of Fame person. That’s earned the respect—not only as a player but I think as a competitor. Which is probably the best compliment you can get.”
A legacy of Fleury’s greatness
Fleury, in his 21st season in the NHL and fourth with the Wild, currently ranks second among goaltenders in games played (1,048), wins (573), and is tied for eighth in shutouts (76) in league history. The three-time Stanley Cup champion and Ovechkin were on opposite sides of one of the league’s greatest rivalries during Fleury’s 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ovechkin has scored more goals against Fleury than against any other goaltender (28 goals in 47 games), which reflects how often the two have clashed. However, Fleury did not play on Thursday night, as his Wild counterpart Filip Gustavsson took to the crease instead.
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Ovechkin’s gesture to Fleury
Ovechkin’s tribute to Fleury transcends their rivalry on the ice and highlights the deep respect NHL players have for each other. Ovechkin’s decision to gather his teammates on the ice to honor Fleury speaks volumes about the greatness of both players and the sportsmanship that defines professional hockey.
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Fleury’s legacy, marked by exceptional goalkeeping and exemplary character, deserves to be celebrated, and Ovechkin’s gesture ensures that his farewell is memorable.
