Despite facing both cancer and injuries, Mario Lemieux’s brilliant career continued to shine. Although he initially retired in 1997, Lemieux made a triumphant return to the ice in December 2000. With his son Austin watching from the stands and Tina Turner’s “The Best” blasting through the arena, Lemieux’s #66 jersey was lowered from the rafters.In his very first shift back, Lemieux assisted on Jaromir Jagr’s goal, igniting the crowd’s excitement. He went on to score a goal and an assist in the second period, finishing the game with a three-point performance and leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-0 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Three nights later, Lemieux continued his impressive comeback with a goal and three assists against the Ottawa Senators.
You may have noticed Lemieux sporting some new equipment.
After buying the bankrupt Penguins in 1999, Mario Lemieux re-entered the game sporting fresh hockey gear. This new equipment was part of a strategic endorsement deal with Nike, aimed at boosting sales.
Lemieux remained a key player throughout the playoffs, leading the team in scoring for much of the run. The Penguins defied expectations, overcoming higher-seeded teams like the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres to reach the Eastern Conference finals. However, their Cinderella story came to an end against the top-seeded New Jersey Devils, who effectively shut down Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, preventing them from scoring a single goal in the entire series. Despite this setback, Lemieux finished the season with 76 points in 43 games, proving that even after retirement, he could still dominate the ice.
The O-Pee-Chee card serves as a reminder of Super Mario’s incredible career and the night in December 2000 when the entire world rallied behind the Pittsburgh Penguins.
