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.
I think the lottery changed everything for us. Once we got Sidney, it helped us turn this franchise around overnight.
I think people in Montreal smoke a lot, and I used to smoke when I was 17-18, and just picked it up when I was playing juniors. But I think I stopped when I was 22, which was a big decision in my life.
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.
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.
I think that with a lot of hard work and dedication, I feel that I could be the best in the world. I'm still only 35 years old... I have a fresh start physically and mentally, and I feel that I can achieve my goal to be the best again.
I think we have to show some pride in the jersey that we are wearing, and can’t quit.
I've had a chance to spend some time in L.A. with him, training and having dinners, and that's all he talks about, hockey, ... He knows the history of the game, loves to talk about the players and the teams. That's why I think he's going to be very successful, because he's dedicated his life to the game.
It's up to the community now to decide if they want to keep this team.
This arena is a special place. Everybody loves it. To be able to stand behind the bench and be a part of a great tournament for the '96 Elite is fun. The kids, having a chance to play in the building where the Penguins play, it's a special feeling for them.
We feel that, with Sidney, we have a great opportunity over the next few years to put a great team on the ice. We're prepared to lose some money along the way. Eventually we're going to need some help.
This is really a new NHL and it's built on speed and young guys.