Mario Lemieux is one of the greatest ever Ice Hockey player of all time with many on-rink successes. The Pittsburgh Penguins great could have achieved a lot had he not suffered from several health problems including spinal disc herniation,

unceasing tendinitis of a hip-flexor muscle and unceasing back pain Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His physical ailments were so stern that he was forced to retire in 1997 and was even inducted into hall of fame in the same year as NHL waived 3-year waiting period in honor of Mario Lemieux. However, he returned to NHL in 2000 and continued playing for Pittsburgh Penguins until his final retirement in 2006. After his retirement many former greats termed him as one of the greatest ever NHL players. If Mario Lemieux did not suffer from health related problems, he could have played 1428 regular season NHL matches instead of his 915 appearances in NHL regular season in his career. He scored 690 goals, assisted 1033 and earned 1723 points in NHL regular season during his illustrious career.

Mario Lemieux won Hart Trophy three times for becoming MVP in regular season in NHL. Besides, he also won six Art Ross Trophies for scoring highest points in a regular season in NHL. Becoming most valuable player in playoff season on two occasions, he won two Conn Smythe Trophies. Mario Lemieux also got success in international arena too as he won Olympic gold medal 2002 Winter Olympics and the silver medal of World Championships of Ice Hockey in 1985. Mario Lemieux is now the owner of Pittsburgh Penguins where he played throughout his NHL career.