A Stanley Cup champion with Cape Breton ties has been inducted into the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Hall of Fame. Former NHLer and Cape Breton Eagle Marc-André Fleury was one of five people inducted in a ceremony Wednesday night in Quebec City. “A couple of things made me love my time in Nova Scotia – my love for the game and the Hawkins (his billet family),” said Fleury in his speech Wednesday night, with his billet family in attendance. “I was spoiled; they even loaned me a car once they helped me get my license. But one night I went to get burgers for the family and then when I got home, I backed up into the garage door and left a pretty good dent.” His former Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Maxime Talbot and Sidney Crosby shared well wishes, according to a news release from the QMJHL. Fleury was drafted by the then Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2000. He played for the team throughout four seasons, earning accolades such as the QMJHL’s Defensive Player of the Year and Top Prospect. Beloved by Cape Breton fans, Fleury’s number 29 jersey was retired in 2008. Selected first-overall in the 2003 National Hockey League draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury won three Stanley Cups with the team. He went on to play with the Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild. Fleury played more than 1,000 NHL games and was awarded the Vezina Trophy and the William M. Jennings Trophy. Fleury also found success on the international stage, taking home two silver medals at the IIHF Junior World Championship and getting the nod for Top Goaltender and tournament MVP in 2003. He took home a gold medal in 2010 when he made his Olympic debut in Vancouver. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
