Let's Talk About: Mario Lemieux
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Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux amassed incredible statistics throughout his 17-year Hall of Fame career, but perhaps his greatest achievement was his ability to lead during times of adversity -- both on and off the ice.
The struggling Penguins drafted the tall 18-year-old French-Canadian with the first overall pick in the 1984 NHL draft, and he immediately made an impact during his first season. Lemieux scored 100 points to capture the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie while boosting attendance at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena and reviving the financially strapped franchise.
With a rare combination of size, speed and stealth-like agility, Lemieux instantly became one of the NHL's premier players. Within seven years, he turned the lowly Penguins into a perennial powerhouse, leading the team to two Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992.
Lemieux battled injuries throughout his career, including herniated discs and chronic back pain, but his biggest challenge came in 1993 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After missing two months to be treated with radiation for the disease, Lemieux returned to action and amazingly went on to win the league scoring title with 160 points. He created the Mario Lemieux Foundation later that year to fund cancer research projects throughout the Pittsburgh area.
After another back injury forced him into early retirement in 1997, Lemieux once again saved the Penguins franchise when he became majority owner of the team and rescued it from bankruptcy.
He stunned the hockey world in 2000 when he confirmed rumors and announced his return to the ice as a player/owner.
This week marks the 10th anniversary of Lemieux's historic comeback game on Dec. 27, 2000, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he scored a goal and two assists in front of a sellout crowd in Pittsburgh and a national television audience.
Hockey fans visiting the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Senator John Heinz History Center can now relive their favorite "Memories of Mario" as a part of a special exhibit featuring a collection of trophies, jerseys and sticks on loan from Lemieux. Included are his jersey from the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals and a replica Stanley Cup presented to him in 2008-09 as the Penguins owner. Visitors to the exhibit, which is on display through Feb. 13, will also be invited to share their favorite memory of Mario. More information is available at www.heinzhistorycenter.org.
First Published December 30, 2010 12:00 am
