Mario Lemieux

Few would dispute Mario Lemieux's position as one of the most naturally talented players in NHL history because of his offensive skills, enthusiasm, and leadership which he brought to the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team despite cancer and other health problems. He was born, like others of French heritage, with the surname Lemieux, which translates "the best." Mario was possessed with the talent to live up to the name. In the late eighties and half of the nineties (when his health permitted it), Mario surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the most prolific scorer in the world. Before his 1997 "retirement," Lemieux was the only player to average more than two points a game. His goal-scoring percentage of 8.23 (613 goals in 745 games) was the best for players with 150 games.