When Marc-André Fleury is inducted into the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame this Wednesday, the foster family he resided with in Cape Breton for four years during his teenage years will stand by his side. Bob Hawkins expressed his astonishment at the journey Fleury has taken since his time with their family. Fleury, originally from Sorel, Quebec, was drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2000 and enjoyed a successful career that includes three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal, establishing himself as the second-winningest goalie in NHL history.
Fleury, now 41 years old, played 151 games with the Cape Breton team before it rebranded as the Eagles. He, along with four others, will be honored at the QMJHL Hall of Fame ceremony in Quebec City. Upon receiving the news of his induction, Fleury promptly reached out to the Hawkins family to share in the recognition.
Reflecting on their time together, Fleury recalled how the Hawkins family embraced him when he was just 15, not speaking English and unfamiliar with Nova Scotia. Bob and Angela welcomed Fleury into their home, aiming for him to be a positive influence on their children. Despite the initial language barrier, Fleury quickly bonded with the family and learned English with the help of their son.
During his four years with the Hawkins family, Fleury participated in family celebrations and learned to drive under Bob’s guidance. Described as sociable and fun-loving, Fleury became an integral part of the household. Even after turning professional, Fleury maintained a close relationship with the Hawkins, with Angela sending him supportive text messages before and after each NHL game.
Paul MacDonald, who worked with the Eagles during Fleury’s draft and later became the team president, acknowledged Fleury’s talent early on but did not foresee his future Hall of Fame status. Fleury’s exceptional skills were evident during his time with the Eagles, leading to his first overall selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
After playing a handful of games with Cape Breton, Fleury embarked on a successful NHL career spanning over 1,000 games with different teams before retiring with the Penguins in 2025. Last summer, Fleury returned to Cape Breton with his family to revisit his roots, visiting the arena where his jersey was retired in 2008.
The enduring bond between Fleury and the Hawkins family serves as a testament to the impact of their shared experiences during his formative years in Cape Breton.