Mario Lemieux
FameRank: 6

"Mario Lemieux", Order of Canada/OC, National Order of Quebec/CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons with the National Hockey League's (NHL) Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984–85 NHL season/1984 and 2005–06 NHL season/2006. In 1999, he bought the Penguins and their top minor-league affiliate, the American Hockey League's (AHL) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, out of bankruptcy, and is currently the team's principal owner and chairman. He is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest players of all time. A gifted playmaker and fast skater despite his large size, Lemieux often beat defenceman/defencemen with fakes and dekes.

If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous athletes! More Mario Lemieux on Wikipedia.

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 think so. Not only (because of) his talent, but the way he thinks about the game. He's dedicated to the game of hockey. A lot of guys have had talent in the past, but to put the mind that he has with his talent is special.

I think the lottery changed everything for us, ... Once we got Sidney, it helped us turn this franchise around overnight.

I think we have to show some pride in the jersey that we are wearing, and can't quit.

I didn't speak English until I came to Pittsburgh.

It feels a lot like the early '90s.

We have no rules.

We were excited for him. But he was pretty excited, too.

We feel that, with Sidney, we have a great opportunity over the next few years to put a great team on the ice. We're prepared to lose some money along the way. Eventually we're going to need some help.