Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQis a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current owner for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played parts of 17 seasons with the National Hockey League'sPittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2006. Dubbed "The Magnificent One" or "Le Magnifique", he is widely acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. A gifted playmaker and fast skater despite his large size, Lemieux often beat defencemen with fakes and dekes...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionHockey Player
Date of Birth5 October 1965
CityMontreal, Canada
CountryCanada
He's only 4 years old, so I don't think he realized, you know, that I played so many years. Of course, we watch tapes here from the Stanley Cup years, but I don't think he realized how many years I played.
Well, I think just a desire to come back and be a part of the game again.
As I've said, in 2007, we're free to go and we'll just have to do what's best for the business.
Depending on how we start the season, I can play center or wing... It doesn't matter to me.
I've gone through back surgery a couple times, and of course, my radiation treatments for six weeks got me to the point where I was not able to play at the level that I was accustomed to.
Certainly we're not satisfied with just winning games. We've been playing some pretty good hockey, but we think we can play much better.
I think the game has opened up, and that's why I decided to come back and try to be a part of it.
I didn't like the way the game was being played.
The first few games that we played against some of the teams, the young guys, you know, want a stick sign or photo sign, and I think that they respect what I have achieved throughout my career.
My body's feeling it a little bit. But one good thing, my back is in good shape, and that's my main concern. I know that my legs are going to take awhile to get back to where I was a few years ago, but as long as my back is solid, I feel that I can play many years.
All I can say to the young players is, enjoy every moment of it. Just enjoy every moment of it. Your career goes by very quickly.
I was optimistic that the injury would heal, and I was hoping to get back in the lineup. It is disappointing that I won't have a chance to return to the ice this season, but I look forward to coming back next year.
I think so. He's a smart guy. He was able to adjust as a player, and I'm sure he can do the same as a coach.
I'm still optimistic this team will be here forever but, again, we need a new facility, ... I don't know how many times I need to say it, but this is the last time I'm going to.