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Mario Lemieux, who owned the 1990's, is one of the best and most courageous player who ever skated in the NHL. Mario who was plagued by chronic back pain, has been a battered but rarely conquered warrior. After winning the scoring championship in both 1988 and 1989, he won the title again in 1992 and 1993.
In the spring of 1991, Mario accomplished what some thought was impossible. He brought the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh. Mario repeated this feat in 1992 with a second Cup and another playoff MVP award.
His greatest achievement was yet to come. In 1992-93, Mario was leading the NHL in scoring when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease which forced him to undergo strenuous radiation treatment. He missed two months of the NHL season, yet he returned in time to win his fourth scoring title with 160 points in 60 games.
He took the 1994-95 season off, then in 1995-96 he made one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history, immediately reclaiming his place atop the league scoring race. Mario retired and did not play in 1997-98-99 seaons. He returned to the Pens for the 2000 season.
In 879 regular season games, Mario has scored 682 goals and gained 1010 assists for a total of 1692 points with 812 penalty minutes.
In the playoffs Mario has played 107 games scoring 76 goals and adding 96 assists for a total of 172 points with 87 penalty minutes.
The Pens will miss the 2003 playoffs and hockey fans may never get to see Mario lace up the skates again.
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