It's no secret that Vegas Golden Knights star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has faced hard times over the last few months.
This week, he spoke The Athletic's Josh Yohe about his recent hardships.
While Fleury continues to be top tier for the VGK in between the pipes, it's clear that hockey's most notable smile and positive energy have been replaced with kind, but forced smiles since the passing of his father, Andre Fleury on November 27th, 2019.
Fleury spent some time away from the team both before and after his father's passing, heading home to Quebec to be with his family when it was needed the most.
Following his return, Vegas' team leader and face of the organization jumped right back into the swing of things.
A good example would be this past Monday. Post practice at City National Arena in Las Vegas, Fleury remained on the ice well after the official practice ended, trying to work as long and hard as possible, taking shots from anyone willing to fire them his way.
Once he finally made his way off the ice, he continued to linger around the practice facility, signing autographs for young fans.
“It's good,” Fleury said later, “to stay busy.”
Making his way to the locker room, Fleury spoke with a reporter, almost immediately sparking memories of his dearly missed father, Andre.
“My dad loved stuff like this most,” he said. “You know, just sitting around, talking about hockey. That's what he loved.”
While Fleury is doing everything in his power to continue to lead his team, it's clear to anyone who pays attention, there is pain behind those eyes.
“He's such a professional that he hasn't missed a beat in between the pipes and he's still the leader of this team,” says teammate and longtime friend, Deryk Engelland. “He kind of keeps his private life at home, and to himself. But how could you not be impacted by something like that?”
Fleury, who is extremely extroverted and always willing to talk to those around him, says he hasn't “talked about it with too many people.”
Of those included in the silence, his very dear friend and former goaltending partner, Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Murray.
While the two netminders talk regularly, Fleury noted that particular conversation has yet to happen.
Murray lost his father as well, about two years ago.
Fleury commented on Murray's loss;
“I can understand what Matt has been through, and it's really hard.”
The future Hall of Famer cares deeply for his friend, and was asked to address the recent transition in Pittsburgh.
With the rising skill and performance of Pittsburgh's Tristan Jarry, Murray has found himself on the bench a bit more than he's used to, with Jarry putting on picturesque performances for the Penguins.
A situation Fleury is all too familiar with. As his time in Pittsburgh neared an end before being selected by the Golden Knights, Fleury saw his position as the number one goalie in Pittsburgh shift, with Murray becoming extremely hot and landing majority of the starts.
“Wasn't that long ago,” he commented. “Eh? I know what it's like.”
“I was always so used to playing a lot, and then Matt came up,” Fleury said. “I always played a few times every week, and I liked that. I think Matt wants to play a lot, too. And now he's playing, what, once a week? Sometimes once every couple of weeks. To be honest, I really struggled with that. I found it tough. My reactions were really off. I think Matt is struggling with that right now. It's a problem for him. It's tough finding your game when you aren't playing a lot. I would know.”
“I talk with Matt, Jars too. Both are great kids. I'm not cheering for one over the other or anything. I just think it's tough for Matt right now.”
Fleury seemingly has no problem relating to his dear friend, and empathizing with what he's been through. He believes this will make Murray better in the long run.
“When he [Murray] came up, everything was always so perfect for him,” Fleury said. “He didn't even have bad games. Nothing ever seemed to go wrong. But it happens to everyone. This game is hard. So, he's gone through some dips in his game. He's going to grow from it, and he's going to be better in the long run. I really believe that. It's just tough right now.”
Now Fleury faces his own similar adversities.
Since his return in early December, Fleury immediately returned to work with full force, seemingly trying to occupy his mind and focus it on hockey.
“The quiet moments are so tough,” says Fleury. “On the bus, or on the plane. Those moments, you know … I think the thing is, my dad was always a part of it. He loved hockey so much, loved watching me play so much. It's always there.”
As he immerses himself back into his work, Fleury's best friend in the healing process will undoubtedly be time.
“It's tough,” he says. “I'm doing my best. Hopefully, time will make me better.”
While it may feel like one of the loneliest times of his life, the entire hockey community, both fans and professionals alike, are wishing the best for one of the greatest goaltenders to ever take the ice.
