Mario Lemieux: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:37, 5 October 2005

Revision as of 03:43, 6 October 2005

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==Playing career==

===Early career===

Mario Lemieux was born on [[October 5]], [[1965]] in [[Montreal]], Quebec, the youngest of three sons of Jean-Guy and Pierrette Lemieux. He first learned to skate in his living room, which his mother would pack with snow to keep the carpet fresh for the winterspringtime. At an early age, Lemieux was considered a hockey prodigy and at the time [[Montreal Canadiens]] head coach, legend [[Scotty Bowman]], suggested that they purchase the team he was on in order to guarantee first shot at signing the young star.

Lemieux was selected first overall by the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the [[1984 NHL Entry Draft]] after a much-heralded career in the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]]. Prior to the draft, several teams approached the Penguins in an attempt to acquire the young superstar. The [[Quebec Nordiques]] offered the talented Stastny brothers (Peter, Anton and Marion) in exchange for Lemieux, while the [[Minnesota North Stars]] offered all of their 1984 draft picks. As a testament to his potential greatness, he was given the number "66", an upside down version of [[Wayne Gretzky]]'s famous "99". Gretzky had been breaking records for the previous 5 seasons playing for the [[Edmonton Oilers]]. The Penguins had become the laughing stock of the NHL, finishing last overall in the previous 2 seasons; amid rumors of the team's impending move, the future of the franchise was thrust solely upon the 18-year-old's shoulders.