In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment, took a plane to Philadelphia, and scored a goal and an assist against the Flyers.
He picked up his level of play right where it had been before his illness, and led his team to a 17-game winning streak and the best regular-season record in the NHL. Along the way, he earned his fourth scoring title and second Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player.
The courage and strength Mario showed during the treatments and after his return to hockey were an inspiration to all those who watched him. "Considering all the factors involved, Mario's performance after his return from the radiation treatments has to be considered one of the greatest feats in the history of professional sports," said Penguins' Executive Vice President and General Manager Craig Patrick. "I thought I had seen it all with this young man, but he gave us new visions and new dimensions with his play after his return."
Mario took the 1994-95 season off to recuperate from a nagging back injury and fatigue, Many thought he would never play again, but Number 66 came back to win his fifth NHL scoring title, his third Hart Trophy and his fifth NHL First Team All Star selection in 1995-96. In his last professional season, 1996-97, Mario again won the scoring title and was named an NHL First Team All Star.
From 1984 to 1997, Mario Lemieux was the heart and Soul of the Pittsburgh Penguins. His natural ability and desire to succeed make him the greatest all-around player in the game. In 1997, Mario was unanimously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, without having to wait the customary three years after retirement. And in November 1997, the number 66 was raised to the rafters of the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, making the first Penguins player to have his number retired.
Art Ross Trophies (scoring titles): 6
Hart Trophies (most valuable player): 3
Conn Smythe Trophies (most valuable player in the playoffs):2
NHL First Team All Star: 6 (1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997)
Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year): 1985
One of only four players in league history to have won five or more scoring titles
One of only three players in league history to have won the Ross, Hart, Smythe and Calder Trophies
Holds the highest points-per-game average in league history
Holds the second highest points-per-game average in league history
Penguins' all-time leader in goals, assists and points
Drafted first overall in the 1984 entry draft
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, November 1997
Mario's last goal.-----
Mario Lemieux will forever be remembered for his incredible feats of skill, agility and power on the ice. He won numerous National Hockey League awards, including six scoring titles and three Most Valuable Player awards. But what hockey fans may recall most fondly is Mario's courage in his fight against Hodgkin's disease in the middle of the 1992-93 season.
Stanley Cup Championships: 2 (1991, 1992) [PENSNet Homepage]