ST. PAUL, Minn. — The two decades Marc-Andre Fleury has spent in the NHL have passed as quickly for him as the airborne pucks that speed toward him in the net each time he takes the ice.

Now the fourth goalie in history to appear in 1,000 games, a mark he made with Minnesota in a 3-2 loss to Winnipeg on Sunday, Fleury is on the verge of another lofty milestone in his 20th season in the league. He’s one win away from a tie for second place on the career wins list, a perch he could reach this week with fellow Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson on injured reserve.

“I feel very fortunate that I was able to play hockey for so long and do something I love,” Fleury said. “I think loving the game is something that kept me going through all the years.”

Over 691 games with Pittsburgh, 192 with Vegas, 45 with Chicago and 72 and counting with Minnesota, Fleury has grown his reputation as one of the most personable and reliable goalies to ever put on the pads since the Penguins made him the first pick in the 2003 draft out of Quebec.

Fleury has backstopped three Stanley Cup championship teams, won the 2021 Vezina Award for the best goalie in the NHL and, most importantly for his legacy, gained the unrelenting trust and admiration of his teammates along the way.

“He’s a natural born leader,” Wild defenseman Brock Faber said. “The positivity he brings to the rink every day, that’s something I’ve never seen before. It’s truly an honor to be able to play in front of him and be a teammate of his.”

Fleury has 550 wins in 1,000 games, trailing Patrick Roy (551 wins in 1,029 games) for second place behind career leader Martin Brodeur (691 wins in 1,266 games).