Mario Lemieux, Simply the Best – A Tribute

Hey pens fans,
The name Mario Lemieux is synonymous with hockey and Pittsburgh. He has been the dominant force for the Penguins for so many years and has accomplished so much in his life. Mario has overcome many adversities to rise to this level of greatness. He was loved by his fans and will be missed not only by the Penguins, but the entire world of hockey. This is a tribute to the man, the legend, Mario Lemieux.
Mario was drafted in 1984, as the first pick in the draft. He then became just the third player in NHL history to total over 100 points in their rookie season. He won the Calder Trophy. Mario became a dominant force and was one of the best players, if not the best player to ever play the game, by the early 1990s. His chronic back problems began about this time and he missed many games to surgery on his back. He led the Penguins to back to back Stanley Cup Championships in 1991 and 1992. After this the next season the Penguins continued on to greatness. Then one of the most shocking blows of all. Mario Lemieux was diagnosed with a Nodular Lymphocytic form of Hodgkin’s Disease. Mario then underwent radiation treatments. The following season in 1993-1994 he missed thee start of the season recovering from more back surgery and in 1994-1995 he took a one year leave from the game for medical reasons. At the start of 1995-96 season Mario was ready to play and he led the Penguins to the Eastern Conference Finals, in which they lost a heartbreaker in game seven at the Mellon Arena. Mario Lemieux played one more season, in which the Penguins did well. Then he announced his retirement from hockey. Mario spent much time with is family after that and largely kept out of the Public Eye.
In 1999, the Penguins were in serious danger. The team had filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Enter again the Penguin’s savior, Mario Lemieux. Mario organized an ownership group, which purchased the team and kept them in Pittsburgh. Mario was very involved, as an owner, but the hockey bug had bit him once again. In the year 2000, Mario announced his comeback to the game of hockey.
He played his first game on December 27, 2000 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mario continued to play at an exceptional level. The next season, Mario was once again plagued by injury and only played in 24 games recording 31 points. The nest season he played in 67 games and seemed to be back in form and had a wonderful season. In the 2003-2004 season, Mario only played in 20 games and missed the remainder of the season, after having hip surgery. The next season was lost due to the lockout, in which Lemieux kept working on the team and kept pushing for the much needed new arena to replace our beloved “Igloo,” the Mellon Arena. Mario came back t play again after the lockout and with new rookie sensation, Sidney Crosby. This season he was once again plagued by injury and a heart condition. He played in 26 games this season scoring 22 points.
Mario announced is retirement today, which was a shock, but expected. His health comes before anything. Mario Lemieux has scored over 600 goals and over 1700 points in his NHL career. He also has a Gold Medal from the Olympics in 2002 with team Canada. Mario Lemieux has had a huge impact on the sport and this city. The fans love him and he will be missed, in more ways than we could compile. Mario Lemieux is le magnifique. He has done so much for the sport and means so much to the fans. Thank You Mario, for all the memories. Mario Lemieux is simply the best.
(The photo shown here is from pittsburghpenguins.com)