Marc-André Fleury Defies NHL Ban to Honor Indigenous Heritage
In a powerful act of personal conviction, Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury wore a custom-designed mask during warmups on Native American Heritage Night, despite the NHL’s directive prohibiting such displays. The mask, crafted by Mdewakanton Dakota artist Cole Redhorse Taylor, was a tribute to Fleury’s wife, Véronique Larosee Fleury, who is of Abenaki and Mi’kmaq descent .
The NHL had previously informed Fleury that wearing the mask would violate its policy against specialty equipment for theme nights, a rule implemented to maintain uniformity on the ice. Fleury, however, expressed his intent to wear the mask regardless, even offering to pay any fines imposed. The league escalated the matter by threatening the Wild organization with additional significant fines if Fleury proceeded .
Undeterred, Fleury donned the mask during pregame warmups, a decision that garnered widespread admiration from fans and the broader hockey community. The mask featured not only Indigenous designs but also personal elements, including a quote from Fleury’s late father and the names of his children .
Following the event, the mask was autographed by Fleury and auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting Native American-led charities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area .
Fleury’s actions have sparked a broader conversation about cultural expression and the NHL’s policies on personal tributes, highlighting the tension between league regulations and individual players’ desires to honor their heritage.