Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
When one thinks of recent French Canadian goaltenders, let alone French Canadian players in general, Marc-Andre Fleury is a name that immediately comes to mind. The Quebec native has had a Hall of Fame career which has seen him capture three Stanley Cups as the starting netminder with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as a Vezina Trophy during his time with the Vegas Golden Knights.
With Fleury in his final NHL season, who will take the reins as the new elite French Canadian goaltender? Sadly, those reins may not be taken right away. The Montreal Canadiens’ Sam Montembeault is the closest thing the league has to an elite French Canadian goalie, but he is still fairly new to a starting role and his road to netminding greatness may be tough behind a very much rebuilding Canadiens team with a bottom of the barrel defense.
Only time will tell if Montembeault or another French Canadian goaltender can fill Fleury’s shoes, but for now, it appears we may be at the end of an era in that regard.
Check out the link to the full episode of The Hockey News Big Show below.
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