(Sorel-Tracy) The contrast was amusing. Marc-André Fleury talks to the media who came to meet him as part of his annual golf tournament. The discussion turns to his upcoming farewell tour, and what we thought would be his farewell at the Bell Centre last October.

“It’s okay, I don’t need any more attention! », he says, with his usual shyness.

Quietly behind him, the supporters arrived one by one, waiting to meet the most illustrious Sorelois. Cards, sticks, Golden Knights, Wild and Blackhawks jerseys, even pairs of sneakers. His autograph was requested on just about every material possession.

The guy who doesn’t need attention had just that, attention.

“It’s still weird that they see me like that. I’m not trying to be an idol,” the 39-year-old goalie explained. “I’ve been playing for a long time. My dad always told me to have fun and work hard. If I can share that with the kids, it’s simple, but at the same time, it can help them with a lot of things.”

Fleury better get used to it, as the spotlight will often be on him over the next 12 months. On April 17, he signed a one-year contract with the Wild. And this time, it was made clear: this will be his last season. And not a last one like the last Bye bye of Dominique Michel. A real last one.

Last year, he never clearly announced his intentions, but his visit to Montreal on October 17 looked like the end of a chapter, in a 5-2 win.

“At the start of the season, I was pretty sure it was my last. But I don’t know, it changed a little during the year, I had fun, he recalled. I don’t expect something like this every time I come back to Montreal. It’s okay, I don’t need any more attention! But it was really nice of the fans, of you media gang. It’s a very nice experience. »

He had certainly succeeded in his farewell at the Bell Centre, but we can guess that he will want to close the loop differently in Pittsburgh and Vegas, where he played 13 and 4 seasons. During the Wild’s visit to Pittsburgh, he had to settle for the role of auxiliary. And during his last visit to Vegas, on April 12, the Wild had been eliminated from the playoff race three days earlier. The Golden Knights won by a resounding 7-2 margin.

Fleury will therefore have another opportunity to say goodbye, this time without any ambiguity. What comes, however, you will have guessed, with the much hated attention.

“I thought about not saying it because of that! joked Fleury. Last year I was asked: “Is this your last?” So I couldn’t get out of it! »

His answers fit perfectly with the description given of him by his fellow citizen François Beauchemin, another headliner of the Beauchemin-Fleury-Beauvillier-Aubé-Kubel Golf Classic.

“He’s very down to earth,” described the former defender. No one is more important than another with him. It’s fun to see. »

For this last year, Fleury has set very simple objectives. ” The series. In the playoffs, you have the chance to play for the Cup. This is the most intense moment. On the personal side, it’s about enjoying it, having fun and trying to win matches. »

Fleury will also be able to gain a few ranks here and there in the various rankings where he looks good. He obviously won’t budge from his 2nd place for wins (561), as he would essentially have to play until 127 to overtake Martin Brodeur and his 691 triumphs.

“Martin has set the bar high! It would be interesting to finish 2nd for games played. But it’s not something I absolutely want to achieve. I just want to win as many games as possible.”

His number of games played will depend on what his CEO, Bill Guerin, decides. Filip Gustavsson, Fleury’s assistant, has just had a difficult season. However, the Wild will still have to spend nearly $15 million in 2024-2025 to buy out the contracts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parisé. In such a context, Gustavsson’s 3.75 million salary hurts. If young Jesper Wallstedt replaces him, the Wild will gain flexibility. And Fleury will play more than just behind an established goalie.

It will also, inevitably, be more opportunities to play for the last time in the different amphitheaters of the circuit.

“It won’t change anything, it will be the same routine. I don’t want to be a distraction to the team or try to do too much. The important thing is to win matches. »