Golden Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury withdraws from NHL All-Star Game

Marc-Andre Fleury will not participate in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.

The Golden Knights announced that the goaltender declined his invitation Friday, which will result in a one-game suspension. Fleury was named to the Pacific Division All-Star team for the third straight season Tuesday.

“While being named to the NHL All-Star Game is a tremendous honor, the Golden Knights and Marc-Andre Fleury have decided that Marc-Andre will pass on the invitation this year,” the Knights said on Twitter. “The Golden Knights and Marc-Andre are grateful for the support and understanding from the NHL and all the fans around the league.”

Fleury, 35, has played in four All-Star Games. Choosing to skip his fifth results in an automatic one-game suspension either the game proceeding or following the event.

It also leaves the Knights without a player representative at the All-Star Game on Jan. 25 in St. Louis. Left wing Max Pacioretty, who leads the team with 43 points in 44 games, is eligible to be added to the Pacific Division roster via the “Last Men In” fan vote.

The Knights still will be represented by Gerard Gallant, who will coach the Pacific Division.

Fleury is 17-8-3 with a .912 save percentage and 2.76 goals-against average.

He experienced personal tragedy this season when his father, Andre Fleury, died Nov. 27 at age 63. Marc-Andre Fleury was away from the Knights from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 to be with his family in his native Quebec.

The goaltender has reached career milestones this season. He surpassed Curtis Joseph for the sixth-most wins in NHL history Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Fleury has 456 wins, two behind the still-active Henrink Lundqvist of the New York Rangers for fifth most.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom will replace Fleury at the All-Star Game.

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Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.