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
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.
He's going to be on Canada's team for the next 15, 20 years.
When I bought the team in 1999, my goal was to keep the team here forever and that's not going change. Now, it's up to the gaming board, local politicians and local leaders to support our plan, which is by far the best one out there from what I have seen. Hopefully, we can get it done.
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.
It's going to be a lot easier for him to start his career here with the guys that we have and the leadership that we have. I started my career here with the worst team in the league and didn't have a lot of support, but he's in a different situation. He's going to have a chance to learn very quickly and win very quickly, which is great for a young guy.
I thought the other lines were pretty good, as well. We'll see what happens.
I think we've done everything we can do as an ownership group, as far as setting up the franchise for the long term here in Pittsburgh. We have a plan with Isle of Capri to fully fund construction of a new arena without public money and make sure this franchise stays in Pittsburgh forever. That's always been my goal.
I said before I'm not going to be the one to move the franchise. There's a possibility that could happen if we don't get the license and the arena doesn't get built.
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.
If I could play this game at a decent level, I'd come back and play.
I'm only 35, and I felt that the time was right to try to come back and have a chance for him to see me play.
A month before the season, I don't order fries with my club sandwich.
We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players.
A month before the season I stop putting ketchup on my french fries.