Marc-Andre Fleury inks 3-year extension with Knights

LAS VEGAS — It didn’t take long for Marc-Andre Fleury to fall in love with his new hometown during his first season with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Now, it looks as though he’ll spend the rest of his career here.

The Golden Knights agreed to terms Friday with the three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie on a three-year contract extension worth an average of $7 million a year.

Fleury had one year remaining on his contract. The extension would keep him with Vegas through the 2021-22 season, meaning the 33-year-old Fleury could end his career with the Golden Knights.

“This organization gave me a chance to play, to play a lot of games, they believed in me,” Fleury said during a news conference to announce the deal. “The success that we had over the season, winning always makes everything better. And then the fans, how much they supported us right from day one. They were crazy all season long and the playoffs were a lot of fun to play. We could really feel the intensity in the building from the fans.

“My family loves it. too. Great schools, great neighbourhoods, lots to do for the kids and I feel very fortunate.”

The Golden Knights selected Fleury in the 2017 expansion draft from the Penguins. He won 29 games last season, including the 400th victory of his career. He registered the best statistical regular season of his career with a goals-against average of 2.24 and a save percentage of .927. He has 404 career wins in 737 games between Pittsburgh (691 games) and Vegas (46) and ranks 11th in victories in NHL history.

Fleury helped the Golden Knights to the Pacific Division title and an appearance in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. He appeared in all 20 games.