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.

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.

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.

Fleury, who grew up an hour outside town, made 20 saves and waited out a lengthy standing ovation late in the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury kept preparing for a puck, raising his glove and lifting his stick, but it was all in vain. The Wild were blocking shots left and right, sweeping pressure away before it reached their crease.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) stops shots during warmups against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 5, 2023.

Now 40 years old and a pending unrestricted free agent, Minnesota Wild goalie and Quebec native Marc-Andre Fleury got the net vs. the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre for likely the last time on Thursday.

Tonight, the Canadiens were at the Bell Centre. For the occasion, they hosted the Minnesota Wild. Kaiden Guhle was obviously absent, so Jayden Struble took his place in the lineup. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard took the place of Michael Pezzetta,