Mario Lemieux
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:31 am
Watched a great program on NHL Network, about the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
I've always loved hockey, going back to the days of the great Bobby Hull and the
Chicago Black Hawks.
Mario Lemieux has had a bigger impact on his franchise than any player in any sport, ever.
They chronicled his great career, which was beset buy tragedy.
He missed over 500 games with cancer and back surgeries.
He came back from cancer treatments, to lead the league in scoring in the same year.
One of the most remarkable feats in sports history.
Stanley Cup winner three times, Olympic Gold Medalist, six time NHL scoring champion,
three time MVP, super talent.
Bobby Orr called him the most talented player he'd ever seen.
Stat people, wonder how many goals and points he may have ended up with.
Sort of the, how did Ted Williams missing four prime years to military service,
diminish his career totals.
Always conducted himself with dignity and class.
The Pens went bankrupt. Owed Lemieux 30 million dollars.
Remember, hockey players salaries are a joke, compared to other pro sports.
So, he found a West Coast money guy to partner with and bought the team.
He fought to keep it in Pittsburgh, despite lucrative offers to move elsewhere.
While he was playing, as owner, Lemieux took the league average salary.
He eventually sold off greats like Jaromir Jagr, to stay afloat.
After much hard work by Lemieux and the organization, convinced the city to build a new arena.
His number one draft pick, Sydney Crosby actually lived with
him and his family,when he came to Pittsburgh, as a teenager.
Lemieux took him under his wing and mentored Crosby, as a player,
and a person.
He rebuilt the team, into a perennial contender and Stanley Cup winner in 2015-16.
It's a great story about someone who is a bigger than life persona,
who overcame cancer,and stepped up and saved a franchise.
Super star player, to owner of a Stanley Cup championship franchise.
The statue of him outside the new arena is well deserved.
I've always loved hockey, going back to the days of the great Bobby Hull and the
Chicago Black Hawks.
Mario Lemieux has had a bigger impact on his franchise than any player in any sport, ever.
They chronicled his great career, which was beset buy tragedy.
He missed over 500 games with cancer and back surgeries.
He came back from cancer treatments, to lead the league in scoring in the same year.
One of the most remarkable feats in sports history.
Stanley Cup winner three times, Olympic Gold Medalist, six time NHL scoring champion,
three time MVP, super talent.
Bobby Orr called him the most talented player he'd ever seen.
Stat people, wonder how many goals and points he may have ended up with.
Sort of the, how did Ted Williams missing four prime years to military service,
diminish his career totals.
Always conducted himself with dignity and class.
The Pens went bankrupt. Owed Lemieux 30 million dollars.
Remember, hockey players salaries are a joke, compared to other pro sports.
So, he found a West Coast money guy to partner with and bought the team.
He fought to keep it in Pittsburgh, despite lucrative offers to move elsewhere.
While he was playing, as owner, Lemieux took the league average salary.
He eventually sold off greats like Jaromir Jagr, to stay afloat.
After much hard work by Lemieux and the organization, convinced the city to build a new arena.
His number one draft pick, Sydney Crosby actually lived with
him and his family,when he came to Pittsburgh, as a teenager.
Lemieux took him under his wing and mentored Crosby, as a player,
and a person.
He rebuilt the team, into a perennial contender and Stanley Cup winner in 2015-16.
It's a great story about someone who is a bigger than life persona,
who overcame cancer,and stepped up and saved a franchise.
Super star player, to owner of a Stanley Cup championship franchise.
The statue of him outside the new arena is well deserved.