Mario Lemieux

Description: (One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time)

Mario Lemieux is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played with the National Hockey League's (NHL) Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2006 with breaks in-between. He bought the Penguins out of bankruptcy, and is currently the team's principal owner and chairman. He is widely acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He was gifted in all departments of the game including, playmaking, scoring, puck-handling, and backed these with intangible skills such as, imagination and anticipation. He led Pittsburgh to two consecutive Stanley Cups and a third under his ownership. He also led Team Canada to an Olympic gold medal, a championship win at the World Cup of Hockey, and a Canada Cup. At the time of his retirement, he was the NHL's seventh-ranked all-time scorer with 690 goals and 1,033 assists, at an incredible 0.754 goals-per game average. Lemieux’s career was plagued by health problems including spinal disc herniation and Hodgkin's lymphoma that limited him to 915 of a possible 1,428 NHL games forcing him to retire twice in his career. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and The Hockey Hall of Fame. His career is not just about records but of dedication and determination in the face of severe health issues.

Overview

Birthday October 5, 1965 (Libra)
Alternative names The Magnificent One, Le Magnifique
Height 193 cm
City Montreal, Canada
Spouse/Ex- Nathalie Asselin
Parents Jean-Guy Lemieux
Pierrette
Children Alexa, Austin Nicholas, Lauren, Stephanie
Relatives Alain, Richard

Did you know

How many Stanley Cups did Mario Lemieux win as a player? Mario Lemieux won the Stanley Cup twice as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in 1991 and 1992.
What position did Mario Lemieux play in hockey? Mario Lemieux played as a center in hockey during his career.
Did Mario Lemieux ever come out of retirement to play in the NHL again? Yes, Mario Lemieux came out of retirement in 2000 to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins for a few more seasons.
What health challenges did Mario Lemieux face during his playing career? Mario Lemieux battled cancer and back problems during his playing career, but he overcame them to continue playing at a high level.
How did Mario Lemieux contribute to the growth of hockey in Pittsburgh? Mario Lemieux not only led the Pittsburgh Penguins to success on the ice but also played a key role in keeping the team in Pittsburgh by becoming an owner of the franchise.
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