Fleury Is Top Pick

Archived from 2003-04 season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded up to get the top pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and selected goalie Marc-Andre Fleury as the No. 1 overall.

"He's far and away the best goaltender in the draft," Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said. "We're rebuilding, and we wanted a good young goaltender."

Fleury became only the second goalie to chosen with the first pick in the draft following Rick Di Pietro, who was selected first overall in 2000 by the NY Islanders.

The Penguins acquired the top pick from Florida for right wing Mikael Samuelsson and their first round pick (third overall).

"That's the guy we wanted. We'd like to have 23 players like him. He's a guy who skates very well, that can score and adds some bite to his game, so he's kind of a perfect complement for what you're looking for in an NHL player," Florida GM Rick Dudley said.

Carolina picked forward Eric Staal at No.2 and then Florida selected center Nathan Horton with the third pick.

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