THE 10 GREATEST TO WEAR THE BLACK-N-GOLD

We are up to #2 of the 10 Greatest to Wear the Black-N-Gold. Today it is Penguins Hall of Fame C/owner Mario Lemieux. Mario was drafted #1 overall by the Pens in 1984. He has garnered many accolades throughout his magnificent career. He was voted by his fellow NHL players the Lester B. Pearson Award for outstanding player 4 times, won the Hart Trophy for league MVP 3 times, and the Art Ross Trophy for league points leader 6 times. As a player he won the Stanley Cup in both 1991 and 1992, also winning the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP each time. He also has won a Stanley Cup as owner of the Pens in 2009. In fact, Mario is the only person to have his name on the cup as both a player and an owner. Mario played for the Pens from 1984-1997, retired and returned to play again fro 2000-2006. He sat out the 1994-95 season battling Hodgkin's lymphoma only to come back in 1995-96 and win the scoring title and the Hart Trophy. Mario fought through back injuries and cancer but was still able to amass 690 career goals and 1033 assists. When he first retired in 1997, the NHL waived the 3 year waiting period and immediately inducted him into the Hockey Hall of Fame. But Mario didn't work all of his magic on the ice. He also took over ownership of the Penguins when the previous regime was in bankruptcy and he ultimately helped keep hockey in Pittsburgh. The Pens retired his #66 sweater and there is a statue of Mario splitting 2 Islanders defensemen to score a goal that stands in front of the House that Mario built, Consol Energy Center. Let us not forget Mario's constant charitable contributions that are made through, not only Penguins charities, but the Mario Lemieux Foundation, as well. All this serves as a good reminder as to why Mario Lemieux is #2 of the 10 Greatest to Wear the Black-N-Gold. Let's Go Pens!!!