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From1984 to 1997. Mario Lemieux was the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Penguins. His natural ability and desire to succeed make him the most all-around player of the game. In 1997, Mario was unanimously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, without having to wait the customary three years after retirement. In November 1997, the number 66 was raised to the rafters of the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, making him the first Penguins player to have his number retired. |
| In December of 2000, Mario Lemieux announced his return to the ice after three years of retirement. Mario Lemieux joined his fellow teammates on the ice for the first time in more than three years on December 27, 2000. The Penguins made a successful playoff in knocking out both the Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabers before being eliminated by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference. Mario always comes to games with one thing on his mind, to win another Stanley Cup title to the Pittsburgh Penguins. |  |
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