Lancers' Co-Owner Lemieux Retires From Playing in the NHL
Published on January 24, 2006 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Lancers co-owner Mario Lemieux today announced his retirement as a player, bringing an end to a career that already has landed him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Lemieux finishes his career with 690 goals and 1,033 assists for 1,723 points in 915 games over 17 seasons -- all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He led the Penguins to two Stanley Cups and also won six NHL scoring titles, three MVP awards and two Conn Smythe Trophies as MVP of the playoffs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.
Lemieux, 40, played 26 games with the Penguins this season, scoring seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. He played for the last time on December 16 vs. Buffalo at Mellon Arena, recording one assist.
"The time is right because I can no longer play the game at the level I'm accustomed to," Lemieux said in making the announcement. "I think the best decision is to retire as a player and turn the game over to the younger guys who are the future of this team and this league. It's a young man's game now.
"I have so many great memories, especially the Stanley Cups, and I want to thank the fans in Pittsburgh - and hockey fans everywhere - for the support they've given to me and my family over the years. It's been an unbelievable ride. And I really do believe this team has a great future here in Pittsburgh. I'm looking forward to watching these young players grow and develop into a championship team."
The native of Montreal was the Penguins' first-round pick, first overall, in 1984, and made an immediate impact on the franchise and the NHL. Scoring a goal in his first game, on his first shift, on his first shot, Lemieux went on to register 100 points in his first season, 1984-85, and received the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Lemieux was named a first-team NHL All-Star five times and a second-team All-Star on four occasions.
He played in 13 NHL All-Star games and was named the All-Star Game MVP three times.
Lemieux faced and overcame tremendous physical challenges during his career. He waged a much-publicized and successful battle with Hodgkin's disease in 1993 and also had two major back surgeries and two hip surgeries. Earlier this season he was diagnosed with a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation.
He retired for the first time as a player following the 1996-97 season - having produced 613 goals and 881 assists for 1,494 points in 745 games with the Penguins. The Hall of Fame immediately waived the mandatory waiting period and inducted him in 1997.
In September, 1999, Lemieux carved out another place in sports history when he led a group of investors that purchased the Penguins out of bankruptcy.
Barely more than a year later, he stunned the sports world by announcing that he was returning to the ice as a player - thereby becoming the first player-owner of the modern era.
Lemieux made his comeback in the 2000-01 season. He finished with 35 goals and 76 points in just 43 games that season.
After making his comeback, he played in 170 games from 2000-05, recording 77 goals and 152 assists for 229 points.
Despite missing a significant amount of games due to injuries throughout his career, Lemieux leaves as the No. 7 all-time scorer in NHL history with his 1,723 points. He also ranks eighth all-time in goals and 10th in assists.
Lemieux recently stepped down as CEO of the Penguins but still serves as Chairman of the Board.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2006
- Lancers' Co-Owner Lemieux Retires From Playing in the NHL - Omaha Lancers
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