The goaltender defied the NHL when he took to the ice wearing the mask during Native American Heritage Night in St. Paul on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

Born in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, about an hour north of Montreal, Fleury grew up a Canadiens fan before he became a three-time Stanley Cup champion, 2021 Vezina Trophy winner and second to only Martin Brodeur on the NHL career wins list.

MONTREAL (AP) — Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves for his first shutout of the season in likely his final game in Montreal, helping the Minnesota Wild beat the Canadiens 4-0 on Thursday night.

Two Minnesota Wild skaters scored their first goals of the season and legendary goalie Marc-Andre Fleury pitched the 76th shutout of his career and got a big ovation in a 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Fleury turned aside all 19 shots faced in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Canadiens.

MONTREAL -- Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves for his 76th NHL shutout, and the Minnesota Wild won their third straight game, 4-0 against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Thursday.

A customized goalie mask worn by Wild player Marc-André Fleury in 2023 for Native American Heritage night was purchased by the Minnesota Historical Society last year. The mask was designed by Mdewakanton Dakota artist Cole Redhorse Taylor and is now on display.

The last time Fleury was in Montreal he received a standing ovation after the Wild's 5-2 win in October of 2023. He was the first star of the game. On Thursday, Fluery said he would have over 100 family members and friends at the Bell Centre. Not only that but there were many Fleury fans in attendance cheering him on.

Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury shut out the host Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Thursday in likely his last start in his home province.

Sorel-Tracy, a shipbuilding town of about 35,000 on the St. Lawrence River, an hour or so north of Montreal, was about 100 residents lighter on Thursday night. A literal busload of folks from Marc-Andre Fleury’s hometown made the trek to the big city to see their puck-stopping hero go to work in his home province for what was almost certainly the last time.

Thomas Chabot scored at 1:46 of overtime and the Ottawa Senators beat the visiting Washington Capitals 5-4 on Thursday night after surrendering a two-goal third-period lead.