Marc-Andre Fleury is the current goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Born and raised in the small Quebec town of Sorel, Fleury was drafted first overall in the 2003-2004 draft, making him only the third goalie ever drafted first overall. Fleury jumped in the mix immediately, making 20 starts in his first season as he split time with the other Pens keepers. Fleury only won 4 games in his rookie campaign, due mostly to the fact that the Penguins were one of the weakest defensive teams in the league.
Fleury continued to rotate time in the first season after the lockout in 2005-2006, in which the Penguins finished last place in the Eastern Conference. Despite playing behind the worst defense in the league, Fleury posted a .898 save percentage over 45 starts. While he recorded only 13 wins, it was due more to the poor play of the rest of his team.
The 2006-2007 season saw the rebirth of the Penguins, and Fleury made the most starts in one season that he has ever made to date with 65. Fleury helped carry the Penguins to the playoffs with 40 wins that season, and although the Penguins were quickly eliminated by the Ottawa Senators in the first round, it was a major step up for a team that had finished dead last only a season ago.
| Team |
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
| Position | Goaltender |
| Born | 28 Nov 1984 |
| Nationality |
Canada
|
| Team History | |
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
2003 - present |
The 2007-2008 campaign has been a coming-out party for Fleury and the rest of the Penguins. While injuries held him to only 19 wins over 33 starts, Fleury has been almost perfect in the playoffs, posting a 12-2 record over the first three series.
Fleury is clearly one of the great young talents in the NHL and it will be exciting to watch him continue to develop over the rest of his career.
