Mario Lemieux (Mario Lemieux), Canadian hockey player: biography, career in the NHL

Mario Lemieux is one of the most famous players. The legendary striker and captain of the permanent "penguin" from Pittsburgh. It became popular after playing in the team, "Pittsburgh Penguins", which with time and bought it. In the entire history of his career, the famous hockey player was able to win a large number of awards and trophies. Fans and fans admire him so much that they gave him the nickname SuperMario and magnificent.

Childhood

Legend hockey - Mario Lemieux - was born on October 5, 1965 in a suburb of Montreal. hockey family was very ordinary father, Jean-Guy, it was the easiest builder, and his mother, Perretta Lemieux - a housewife, also has two siblings - Allen and Richard. When the world hockey legend was 3 years old, he began playing hockey with his brothers, and as the ice arena to serve them plain basement of the house. As washers performed cap mineral water.

As for the father, he disapproved of the passion of her sons to the most popular sport in the country. Therefore, it is logical is the fact that he had built for the sons of a small ice rink, located in the courtyard. Once granted a free moment, the children rushed to the hockey rink, located near the school.

The first steps in hockey

Mario was a very gifted child. At a very early age the future stars showed extraordinary ability in hockey. Speaking as part Hurricanes de Ville-Émard in 1972, SuperMario won the championship title of the city of Montreal.

Average rates guy in the stands at an average of 5 goals per game. Against this background, it is natural that many professionals that are directly related to professional sport, closely followed by a gifted young man and he predicted a great future in the world of sports. Lemieux professional debut took place in the team, which played in the major junior league Quebec. The young star was able to leave behind the most vivid memories, as for three years, he remembers the local public ingenious game.

The result of his dedication and fanatical devotion to ice hockey was the fact that SuperMario most scored goals for the time spent on the team.

NHL debut

Due to its phenomenal talent, as well as physical data of Mario Lemieux (height, weight, Man is 193 cm and 100 kg, respectively) came to the attention of people involved in the search for gifted children. It is therefore not surprising that in the mid-80s a young hockey player was in the NHL draft.

The dream of every guy in Canada is an opportunity to act in a professional league. Already at a very early age, Mario had offers to continue his professional career hockey players in different clubs in North America.

As to the individual preferences of the guy, he cherished the thought of playing for the "Montreal Kanadians" - the most titled club in the professional league.

There is a saying that goes: if you want to make God laugh - tell him about your plans. Since at the end of the season ended turned out to be the weakest team, "Pittsburgh Penguins", that it was he had the chance to choose the beginners of the first pick of rooms. Mario was chosen "penguins" and most experts unanimously said that the team has acquired a future star of not only American, but also the world of hockey.

Salaries

Many league team offered "Pittsburgh" exchange of young hockey players on very favorable terms, but all their attempts have led to nothing. At heart, Mario Lemieux flattered themselves with the hope that he will be able to move to another, more famous club. The prospect of playing for a team occupies the last position in the standings, his little pleased.

As a result of individual negotiations between the boys and the team manager was able to persuade Mario to play for, "Pittsburgh Penguins". Under the terms of the contract, the future star of the season earned 600 thousand dollars and 150 thousand premium.

NHL

Mario Lemieux made his debut in the game against bitter rivals from Boston. In this game, hockey player first touch the puck hit the net.

"Pittsburgh" held a large-scale advertising campaign, aimed at increasing the visits of home games, and as the main argument was the young talent. The result of efforts not long in coming. Literally from the first matches of the hockey arena was completely packed with spectators. Throughout the season, residents of the city came to a hockey game to watch the game for.

Debut season Lemieux turned out to be very successful. Due to its excellent game and the incredible performance of a young hockey player became a favorite not only in the city but in the whole country. The result of his phenomenal debut in the professional league was the invitation to participate in the All-Star Game. According to the results of the match SuperMario was voted MVP (most valuable player of the match), which to this day is considered to be a unique achievement. This record of Mario Lemieux, like many others, could not be anyone to overcome.

Successful performance of the team has attracted the attention of national team coach. In the same year, the hockey player Mario Lemieux spoke in the "Maple Leaf". End of the season the legendary Mario scored a total of 100 points, but the next year he improved this figure to 141, ranking second after the genius of modern hockey Wayne Gretzky. Hockey is a team game, and "Pittsburgh" could not get into the playoffs, despite the dedication and outstanding performance of Mario Lemieux. However, despite the bad performance of the team, Lemieux decides to extend his contract with the club. The following season, the hockey player manages to win the title of the most productive player in the league.

The legendary Gretzky was cast out of Olympic hockey, which for the past 7 years he has headed confidently.

Presentation of Team Canada

In 1985, hockey player Mario Lemieux in the national team of Canada is sent to Prague for the championship on hockey. This tournament proved to be quite successful for hockey, where he scored four goals and made 6 assists.

In 1987, in the world of hockey it was a special event, which has always attracted the attention of the global sports community - Canada Cup. Lemieux with undisguised pleasure and the desire to take an offer to play for the national team, especially since he had to play in one link with the legendary Wayne Gretzky.

The tandem of talented athletes had to be a real problem for Canadian rivals.

In the semifinals, "Maple Leaves" faced with the Czechoslovak national team, which defended the gates talented Dominik Hasek, which later received the nickname Dominator. Despite the great game goalie, Lemieux was able to throw the puck and lead his team to victory.

In the final, the Canadian team was to meet with invincible "red car". According to the rules of competition, the final consisted of games and 2 wins. The first match of the series was lost with a break of one washer (5: 6), but in the return game, thanks to the magic of Mario and talent Gretzky, Canadians take revenge in the extra time with the score 6: 5. The crucial meeting was rather hard, and when the score was 5: 5 Lemieux thanks to its agility brought victory to "Maple Leaves". Following the tournament a great Mario scored 11 points and was the best player.

Through thorns to the stars

In the late 80-ies of the player Mario Lemieux, whose impressive statistics, began to disturb pains in the back. However, overcoming the painful discomfort, he continued to show remarkable skill and good results.

After the survey in 1990 found Mario displacement of intervertebral discs. corresponding operation was carried out, followed by recovery period. The team, he returned in 1991. The club held a successful breeding campaign, which in the "Pittsburgh" was a number of promising players.

But even new players can not make a proper competition Magnificent Mario. The totality of his experience and talent with ambition and determination of new players will allow the club to win the legendary Stanley Cup.

The following season, this success was again secured. Back pain did not allow to fully prove himself to the legendary hockey player, and after a surgical intervention, Mario decided to take a break in order to properly and fully restore their physical health.

The Return of the King

In 1995, Mario Lemieux, whose biography is full of interesting facts and events, decided to return to the world of professional hockey. Despite the break in his career, the talented hockey player managed to score 161 points and at the end of the season to become the owner of "Art Ross Trophy."

In addition, the player has been recognized as the most valuable NHL. It is also worth noting that the five hundredth Mario threw the puck in his career.

Thanks to productive game of their leader, "Pittsburgh Penguins" reached the final of the Cup but to become the owner of the trophy for the third year in a row failed.

retirement

In 1997, the legendary player for the first time announced its intention to discontinue the performance professional hockey league. He argued the decision constant back pain that prevent him from playing.

In the early 21st century, the team was on the verge of default. In this difficult situation, Lemieux decided to help his club, having paid his debts and take complete control.

After that hockey has become not only a player, but also the owner of the club. While at the site, he appeared not so often, but in those moments when it happened, he was able to bring into play a magical charm and a unique charm.

In 2002 Mario in the "Maple Leaf" appeared at the Olympics, where the team confidently took the 1st place. Due to the fact that heart problems are not allowed to engage in hockey, in 2006, the idol of millions decided definitively to leave the professional sport, what he said in public.

Legend number 66

Initially a great hockey player, speaking in Canada's youth teams, playing in the jersey with the number 12. Later, when he became a professional hockey player and delighted the millions of hockey fans, it is constantly contrasted with the magnificent Gretzky. On sweater legendary Wayne wore the number "99".

"Pittsburgh Penguins" manager Mario advised to take an inverted version of it - "66", thus emphasizing their individuality and at the same time, the undisguised desire to circumvent the legend.

Interesting Facts

Surname Lemieux (Le Mieux) in French means "best." The hockey player is considered the first and currently the only owner of the NHL, who plays for the team. Mario Lemieux has a brother who is also his professional career began in "Pittsburgh", but spent only one game.

Hockey legend is also a great connoisseur of wine and has a basement collection, including not less than 5000 bottles.

Surrounding area to the sports arena, which acts as a hockey team, is named after Mario Lemieux.