Lemieux’s career accomplishments are staggering. He ranks in the top 10 all-time in all 3 of the major NHL scoring categories. He retired following the 2005-06 season with 690 goals, 1033 assists and 1723 points. Try to comprehend what incredible scoring totals ‘Le Magnifique’ would have amassed if his health had allowed him to play an uninterrupted career. Mario’s average of better than an assist a game and nearly 2 points per game throughout his entire career is simply astounding, and is 2nd best in the history of the NHL. Lemieux won the Calder trophy as league’s top rookie in 1985, the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States in 2000 and the Bill Masterson Trophy for the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey in 1993.

The 1992-93 season was one of tremendous ups and downs for Lemieux. He assaulted the league with his gifted play, winning yet another scoring title despite having his season cut severely short due to Hodgkins disease. Lemieux is a 2-time Stanley Cup champion, having won the Conn Smythe Trophy in both of those seasons as playoff MVP. He won (4) Lester B. Pearson awards as the NHL’s outstanding player, (6) Art Ross Trophies for leading the NHL in scoring and (3) Hart Memorial Trophies as the league’s MVP. Double digit All Star games and being a 9-time 1st or 2nd team NHL All Star selection are also part of the impressive resume. An Olympic Gold Medal and a 1987 Canada Cup trophy also find room on the mantel. The accomplishments go on and on; needless to say Mario is among the small handful of players that can rightfully be discussed as the greatest to have ever played the game.