I live in Pittsburgh, and have had the great fortune to have watched Mario Lemieux play entire professional career here. I've seen many all-time great players over the years, but no one will EVER be a greater hockey player than Mario Lemieux. He is a once-in-a -lifetime player. Even in his retirement, and ownership of the Penguins, he continues to be a great ambassador for the great game of hockey. He's been the greatest ever.
Again, I must say that I will never belittle the kind of player that Gretzky was, he was truly amazing. My only point is I wish we could have seen what Mario was truly capable of. A lot of notable players, coaches and sports writers wonder the same thing as well, so it's not just the fans.
they forget my fav, when he does that toe drag around the defenceman then brings it to his backhand and tucks it behind the goalie Mario Lemieux is the greatest player to ever play hockey. He is the type of player that could be great in any era of hockey. If Lemieux were in his prime right now he would by far lead the league. Half those passes he makes I wouldn't even see coming. It is my personal opinion that had he stayed healthy he would be the all-time leader in goals.
I was 12 rows up from the blue line on the #7 goal. I've been a Mario Lemieux fan ever since my buddy took me to that game back in 88. He was a fluke of nature. Bar none, he was the greatest hockey player of them all.
what a sweet list. I love that they included the goal during the olympics scored by joe sakic that mario let through his legs, that takes such tremendous skill and discipline. Definetly his top 10 plays. Might have liked to see the goal he scored on his first nhl shift. Overall a great selection of plays by one of the greatest players the league will ever see.
About Lemieux: "In my mind the most talented player I've ever seen. If it were not for health problems, God only knows what his numbers would have been." - Bobby Orr (I guess it says it all).
I never saw legends like Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe, Gretsky was the emperor of assists and a world class scorer, Brett Hull could score even without the puck, but for me Mario Lemieux will always be number one. He was complete and probably one of the most valuable players of a team in NHL´s history
I'm not even a hockey fan, nor have I ever watched an entire hockey game but some of these goals are pure class. I was just playing NHL '98 on my old Saturn and I wanted to see how good Mario was in real life. This guy was a beast.
Lemieux was simply the greatest player of ANY sport to ever play!! He was so exciting every time he touched the puck that you just rose out of your seat to see what he would do. He's the most exciting player to every play in ANY sport without a doubt and no hockey player ever comes close to making the moves he did!
Lemieux's gifts and charachter are so manifest and pure that he constantly transcends the general nature of that objective. While it easy despite there gifts to have a dislike casual or not to harbour a dislike for the likes of alex rodriguez or barry bonds or the aforementioned jordan even at times someone as beloved as Ali or Gretzky. This never gets in the way of the pure joy, intelligence and skill of Mario's constant ingeniuety. Vive Le Magnifique ! :)
Number 2 was a heck of a gamble...you have a wide open player on the right and you play vs Russia and if you miss the whole country will hate you for this play...but with all this pressure he takes the shot and scores one of the most important goal in canada's history !!!! Wow Mario t'es le meilleur !!
The most beautiful goal in Canada history (yeah, Anderson's goal in 1972 against USSR is something, but never as amazing as the one from Lemieux that night in 1987... still gives me chills).
@ChachaChapati there's no denying Gretzky's enormous talent, but as a Pens fan--and seeing his size and agility--my favorite and the best of all time is Mario.
Super Mario deserves to be among the best hockey players of all time. He was a bright light thourghout his career. I really hope he will find a place in the Hockey hall of fame, he is just that good.
if you've ever known somebody whose undergone chemotherapy it makes Mario so much more amazing. On the day of Marios last chemotherapy session he traveled to philadelphia, played 23:17 of 60:00 minutes, scored 1 goal & had 1 assist. Thats the stuff of legend add the back problems that would debilitate most people and you understand why he will always be SUPER MARIO.
Absolutely! When you see how far ahead Gretzky is in regards to (almost) every stat, it's simply incredible. Messier has 1887 career points, while Gretzky has 1963 career assists!! We will NEVER see another hockey player like him again. 163 assists in one season? 51 games point scoring streak? Never again. But I personally still couldn't tell you if Gretzky was indeed THE greatest. Some say if Maurice Richard played in the 80's, he would've scored 100 goals. Of course, THAT we'll never know. =)
I was more of a 99 fan growing up, and didn't like that Lemieux could threaten some of 99's records. But as I grew older and wiser, I began to appreciated Lemieux for what he was, even when I'd watch him play against my Habs - which was never pleasant...! I can't tell you how many times my jaw would drop watching this guy do the things only he could do. Gotta love these "Top Ten" plays! =)
# 3 = What's more amazing? The fact he made Ray Bourque of all people look like a minor-leaguer, or that he was able to roof it glove side from so close? I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching highlights of Lemieux and Gretzky. Incredible, those two...!
I love this stat: 5 goals in different ways in one game (shorthanded, full strength, powerplay, penalty shot, and empty net) (December 31, 1988 against the New Jersey Devils; only player to accomplish the feat)
The goal where he fooled Bourque... I keep watching it ... how did he do that? Bourque of all ppl... amazing. There was one where he blew by Leetch as well....
Mario was to hockey what Michael Jordan was to Basketball incredible skill, finesse and smarts. Great vid. As a Canadian who remembers seeing that goal in the Canada Cup, i would make that the number one goal. The teamwork between Gretzky and Mario was amazing. They knew exactly what the other was going to do. Gretzkt knew Mario was going to score the moment he made that perfect pass. Sublime. But then, I am a little biased.
Amazing hands to go along with that great size. Incredible plays. Weird thing is his parents still live in the same little house in a poor area of Montreal.
Gretzky was also thrust into a playoff caliber team. Lemieux was playing for a team at the bottom of the league. I don't know if it was so much he wasn't working hard, but he wasn't as motivated by other players and coaches to work as hard. You are correct though, playing with someone like Gretzky did motivate him to do better than what he was, and that is a very good thing. He did however still win the Calder his 1st year and the Pearson his 2nd and was only behing Gretzky in scoring that year.
I'm glad you enjoyed Pittsburgh and the Igloo, we will miss it after this next season. I've only ever been to Toronto and Niagra, but always enjoyed any time I spent in Canada so far. Hope to make it to Montreal and Vancouver in the near future, I've heard nothing but good things about those cities.
So true. During his time in the league, the calls weren't as forthcoming as they are now. What would be recognized as headhunting now, was just " pressuring" the talented players back then.
It's no coincidence that 4 of the goals were against the Bruins. The Lemieux's Penguins absolutely owned the Bruins. He looked like he wasn't even trying that hard. But there was nothing you could do to stop him. I remember a game against the Bruins: The Bruins were on the power play in OT. There was a bad pass in the B's offensive zone, and as soon as Lemieux touched it, my heart sank because I knew the game was over. Sure enough, he splits the defense and score the short-handed game winner.
You know, I don't think anyone will break Gretzky's records, but this guy was playing at a whole new level. Had he stayed healthy (even though that didn't always keep him from racking up unreasonable stats)...I can only imagine.
I agree with Ottvalley. I've been involved with hockey for too long and have seen alot of greats come and go, but none of them have possessed talent like unto Lemiuex. He may not be the 'best' hockey player ever, as you would have to debate the valuable skills and talents needed to play the game and in what amounts a player should have them to be the best. But he was the most talented, and a sight to see.
I happen to think the +/- rating is overvalued, but Orr throws my criticism right out the window. Check it out sometime. The first time I saw his career rating I thought it was a misprint. It's freaking OUTRAGEOUS. Way higher than chance could account for. What it all adds up to is - when Orr was on the ice, Boston scored goals and the opponent didn't.
I totally agree with you. I'm a Gretzky fan myself, and I don't think Mario is any less great than what he actually was just because I like 99 better. They were both equally mind blowing, just as much as Bobby Orr or Lafleur were in their days, or Crosby and Ovechkin are today. Everybody can have their favourites, but it simply doesn't make the other players any worse. And boy are you right about you being blessed to have seen both 66 and 99, same with Jordan and Lebron James. =)
absolutely beautiful. Perhaps there is more grace and dare i say genius here then in any other athlete. Unlike jordan and many other great athletes whose skills are almost secondary to the tyranical bully like nature of the competitive drive. What we have with Mario is the sheer boundless overflowing of talent and conception. Sublime, subtle ... magical. While out of the will towards the objective of winning and at times dominance grace can be produced by the sheer singularity of the drive.
The one and only for ever and ever... Robert Gordon Orr. I was born in 1980, so all I have to base myself on what Bobby did is my step-dad, some highlights, and a bunch of clips of old hockey players who either played with him or against him. And let me tell you, I wish I had a time machine to go back to 1970 so that I could see him play. Then I would make sure to check out Jimi Hendrix, Led Zep, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa and James Brown, but that's a whole other story... =)
If he got on a break away it was over. the most dominating hockey player ever and no one will ever come close in terms of overwhelming defense man and goalies. now gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever because of his ability to read plays and he had the greatest ice awareness ever, he was just always in the right place at the right time.
In his record 51 consecutive game point streak (Mario never did that), Wayne scored 153 pts, 3 pts/game. When the streak ended, he missed 6 games because he was playing with injuries for a long time. Wayne played a lot more than Mario and his pts/game avg is higher, that's incredible. And if Gretzky had retired after the trade to LA (after only 9 seasons), he would have almost as many pts than Lemieux for his whole career, wow.
Mario the magnificent. I miss wathing him play. He'd have every scoring record if he wouldn't have had the health problems. Sid the Kid is pretty damn good too!
The fact Lemieux had many aweful injuries keeps us from a good comparison. I have to say that comparing the time in which they played, Lemieux would still stand out in todays hockey.
Check that - Pavel Bure scored the most Goals that season with 59. Sakic was the MVP. But by any measure that is incredible. Take 3 years off - and come back - and just like that, you are still the best player in the game. WoW!
Somehow this guy reminds me about the early Steven Seagal! Huge self-confidence, heavy ass(haha), big body and skillfull as hell! He has that kind of heavyness in his presence that makes the guys around him look like kids!
Having seen both of them in their prime, I would say that Gretzky had the luxury of playing on more better teams than Lemieux. Overall, I agree with the assessment that Lemieux & Orr were better players than Gretzky.
Nice video, but I just wanted to add something in regards to a few previous posts below. As far as Mike Bossy goes, let's face it: he was maybe the purest goal scorer the league ever saw after Maurice Richard, regardless of Gretzky's and Lemieux's stats, ok? Here's one for the road: according to some, Guy Lafleur was probably more exciting to watch than everybody mentioned above. Maybe more so than Bure, Crosby and Ovechkin! =) Thanks for posting the video! It's great to see # 66 flying!
Every one of these goals is an obstruction penalty (hooking/holding/interference). This is what made Lemieux so great. In today's game... He'd have 5 points a game.
I live in Pittsburgh, and have had the great fortune to have watched Mario Lemieux play entire professional career here.
I've seen many all-time great players over the years, but no one will EVER be a greater hockey player than Mario Lemieux.
He is a once-in-a -lifetime player.
Even in his retirement, and ownership of the Penguins, he continues to be a great ambassador for the great game of hockey.
He's been the greatest ever.
#8 and 3 are simply a thing of beauty. how i miss watching mario, the 90s will always hold my greatest hockey memories.
Again, I must say that I will never belittle the kind of player that Gretzky was, he was truly amazing. My only point is I wish we could have seen what Mario was truly capable of. A lot of notable players, coaches and sports writers wonder the same thing as well, so it's not just the fans.
they forget my fav, when he does that toe drag around the defenceman then brings it to his backhand and tucks it behind the goalie
Mario Lemieux is the greatest player to ever play hockey. He is the type of player that could be great in any era of hockey. If Lemieux were in his prime right now he would by far lead the league. Half those passes he makes I wouldn't even see coming. It is my personal opinion that had he stayed healthy he would be the all-time leader in goals.
"The most complete player I've ever seen"
-Scotty Bowman (greatest coach of all time)
Enough said!
The greatest in any sport I've ever seen. Legend!
I was 12 rows up from the blue line on the #7 goal. I've been a Mario Lemieux fan ever since my buddy took me to that game back in 88. He was a fluke of nature. Bar none, he was the greatest hockey player of them all.
a freak of nature,no fluke
what a sweet list. I love that they included the goal during the olympics scored by joe sakic that mario let through his legs, that takes such tremendous skill and discipline. Definetly his top 10 plays. Might have liked to see the goal he scored on his first nhl shift. Overall a great selection of plays by one of the greatest players the league will ever see.
About Lemieux: "In my mind the most talented player I've ever seen. If it were not for health problems, God only knows what his numbers would have been." - Bobby Orr (I guess it says it all).
I never saw legends like Bobby Orr or Gordie Howe, Gretsky was the emperor of assists and a world class scorer, Brett Hull could score even without the puck, but for me Mario Lemieux will always be number one. He was complete and probably one of the most valuable players of a team in NHL´s history
i watch this video at least once a week. it humbles me because i know i will never be as good at ANYTHING as this man was at hockey
this is the only top 10 video where i was simply STUNNED by ALL the goals
lemieux can do that to you.
Definitely the #1 or 2 player ever. Happy I got to see him play multiple times in person. THANK MARIO!!!
I'm not even a hockey fan, nor have I ever watched an entire hockey game but some of these goals are pure class. I was just playing NHL '98 on my old Saturn and I wanted to see how good Mario was in real life. This guy was a beast.
super mario is the best nickname in hockey ever. he was so awesome.
Thanks for posting this - such great memories!
No one is even close to this man, best player ever
That last play was a one on two break...... incredible!!!
I think Mario Lemieux single-handedly invented the deke, the dangle, and the highlight reel goal, all at the same time.
Lemieux was simply the greatest player of ANY sport to ever play!! He was so exciting every time he touched the puck that you just rose out of your seat to see what he would do. He's the most exciting player to every play in ANY sport without a doubt and no hockey player ever comes close to making the moves he did!
Lemieux's gifts and charachter are so manifest and pure that he constantly transcends the general nature of that objective. While it easy despite there gifts to have a dislike casual or not to harbour a dislike for the likes of alex rodriguez or barry bonds or the aforementioned jordan even at times someone as beloved as Ali or Gretzky. This never gets in the way of the pure joy, intelligence and skill of Mario's constant ingeniuety. Vive Le Magnifique ! :)
What can we say. Hes just the BEST player of all time.
Thanks for the stat check Catalinadee. This story always gives me goosebump. I mean super Mario was having some supernatural talent.
Simply the greatest.
Number 2 was a heck of a gamble...you have a wide open player on the right and you play vs Russia and if you miss the whole country will hate you for this play...but with all this pressure he takes the shot and scores one of the most important goal in canada's history !!!! Wow Mario t'es le meilleur !!
The most beautiful goal in Canada history (yeah, Anderson's goal in 1972 against USSR is something, but never as amazing as the one from Lemieux that night in 1987... still gives me chills).
He's insanely good. Great to see him assisted by Gretzky, too. I would not want to be the goalie facing Lemieux, damn!
@ChachaChapati
there's no denying Gretzky's enormous talent, but as a Pens fan--and seeing his size and agility--my favorite and the best of all time is Mario.
Super Mario deserves to be among the best hockey players of all time. He was a bright light thourghout his career. I really hope he will find a place in the Hockey hall of fame, he is just that good.
Mario's the best!
Never saw #4 before - THANKS!~
if you've ever known somebody whose undergone chemotherapy it makes Mario so much more amazing. On the day of Marios last chemotherapy session he traveled to philadelphia, played 23:17 of 60:00 minutes, scored 1 goal & had 1 assist. Thats the stuff of legend add the back problems that would debilitate most people and you understand why he will always be SUPER MARIO.
"doesn't know whether to cry or wind his watch" i wish mike lange still did tv
mario was the greatest goal scorer ever
Absolutely! When you see how far ahead Gretzky is in regards to (almost) every stat, it's simply incredible. Messier has 1887 career points, while Gretzky has 1963 career assists!! We will NEVER see another hockey player like him again. 163 assists in one season? 51 games point scoring streak? Never again. But I personally still couldn't tell you if Gretzky was indeed THE greatest. Some say if Maurice Richard played in the 80's, he would've scored 100 goals. Of course, THAT we'll never know. =)
I was more of a 99 fan growing up, and didn't like that Lemieux could threaten some of 99's records. But as I grew older and wiser, I began to appreciated Lemieux for what he was, even when I'd watch him play against my Habs - which was never pleasant...! I can't tell you how many times my jaw would drop watching this guy do the things only he could do. Gotta love these "Top Ten" plays! =)
Thank you for the memories
Best player ever...greetings from Sarajevo :w
OMFG that number 1 play was one of the sickest goals i'd ever seen.
# 3 =
What's more amazing? The fact he made Ray Bourque of all people look like a minor-leaguer, or that he was able to roof it glove side from so close?
I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching highlights of Lemieux and Gretzky. Incredible, those two...!
The analyst does such a great job... 'Waiting for Bourque to make the move, which. of course. was the wrong move'.
The best goal listed at number one was sick and to do it in the finals was unreal!
Number 1 is incredible. What an amazing player.
Bob Cole: "Have you ever seen such finesse?"
Hockey world: "No."
Greatest to ever play the greatest game on earth which makes him of course the greatest!!!!
I saw the #2 goal live and it was amazing.
I love this stat:
5 goals in different ways in one game (shorthanded, full strength, powerplay, penalty shot, and empty net) (December 31, 1988 against the New Jersey Devils; only player to accomplish the feat)
The goal where he fooled Bourque... I keep watching it ... how did he do that? Bourque of all ppl... amazing. There was one where he blew by Leetch as well....
My fav all-time goal.
man had the moves, one of a kind.
1 word: BEAST!
Mario was to hockey what Michael Jordan was to Basketball incredible skill, finesse and smarts. Great vid. As a Canadian who remembers seeing that goal in the Canada Cup, i would make that the number one goal. The teamwork between Gretzky and Mario was amazing. They knew exactly what the other was going to do. Gretzkt knew Mario was going to score the moment he made that perfect pass. Sublime. But then, I am a little biased.
Amazing hands to go along with that great size. Incredible plays. Weird thing is his parents still live in the same little house in a poor area of Montreal.
That one game in 1987, Canada vs le Sovietique, Lemieux and Gretzky on the same squad is poetry in motion.
Gretzky was also thrust into a playoff caliber team. Lemieux was playing for a team at the bottom of the league. I don't know if it was so much he wasn't working hard, but he wasn't as motivated by other players and coaches to work as hard. You are correct though, playing with someone like Gretzky did motivate him to do better than what he was, and that is a very good thing. He did however still win the Calder his 1st year and the Pearson his 2nd and was only behing Gretzky in scoring that year.
I'm glad you enjoyed Pittsburgh and the Igloo, we will miss it after this next season. I've only ever been to Toronto and Niagra, but always enjoyed any time I spent in Canada so far. Hope to make it to Montreal and Vancouver in the near future, I've heard nothing but good things about those cities.
So true. During his time in the league, the calls weren't as forthcoming as they are now. What would be recognized as headhunting now, was just " pressuring" the talented players back then.
It's no coincidence that 4 of the goals were against the Bruins. The Lemieux's Penguins absolutely owned the Bruins.
He looked like he wasn't even trying that hard. But there was nothing you could do to stop him.
I remember a game against the Bruins: The Bruins were on the power play in OT. There was a bad pass in the B's offensive zone, and as soon as Lemieux touched it, my heart sank because I knew the game was over. Sure enough, he splits the defense and score the short-handed game winner.
You know, I don't think anyone will break Gretzky's records, but this guy was playing at a whole new level. Had he stayed healthy (even though that didn't always keep him from racking up unreasonable stats)...I can only imagine.
Simply the best...
What a player! Oh my god!
INCROYABLE
Awesome.
I agree with Ottvalley. I've been involved with hockey for too long and have seen alot of greats come and go, but none of them have possessed talent like unto Lemiuex. He may not be the 'best' hockey player ever, as you would have to debate the valuable skills and talents needed to play the game and in what amounts a player should have them to be the best. But he was the most talented, and a sight to see.
I happen to think the +/- rating is overvalued, but Orr throws my criticism right out the window. Check it out sometime. The first time I saw his career rating I thought it was a misprint. It's freaking OUTRAGEOUS. Way higher than chance could account for. What it all adds up to is - when Orr was on the ice, Boston scored goals and the opponent didn't.
2:03 Gretzky to Lemieux the best set up man of all time to the best goal scorer of all time
#9 such a sweet goal
mario lemieux is the best hockey player that ever lived. theres way to many amazing things he did to have a top ten.
The best ever no doubt, also one of the best athlete ever
Wayne had the vision and the hockey sense, Lemieux had all the phyiscal gifts, and Bobby Orr had everything :-P
#4. Speechless. LE MAGNIFIQUE
Best player to ever lace them up.
Lemieux and Jager has to be the best line in history. They was both so big, fast and tecnical
I totally agree with you. I'm a Gretzky fan myself, and I don't think Mario is any less great than what he actually was just because I like 99 better. They were both equally mind blowing, just as much as Bobby Orr or Lafleur were in their days, or Crosby and Ovechkin are today. Everybody can have their favourites, but it simply doesn't make the other players any worse.
And boy are you right about you being blessed to have seen both 66 and 99, same with Jordan and Lebron James. =)
absolutely beautiful. Perhaps there is more grace and dare i say genius here then in any other athlete. Unlike jordan and many other great athletes whose skills are almost secondary to the tyranical bully like nature of the competitive drive. What we have with Mario is the sheer boundless overflowing of talent and conception. Sublime, subtle ... magical.
While out of the will towards the objective of winning and at times dominance grace can be produced by the sheer singularity of the drive.
I still have shivers,...
Mario Lemieux is the greatest! Hands down!
Yeah 9 the best, calmly just strolls in but still can’t be stopped
Well said, notorioso!! =)
greatest player of all time
The one and only for ever and ever... Robert Gordon Orr. I was born in 1980, so all I have to base myself on what Bobby did is my step-dad, some highlights, and a bunch of clips of old hockey players who either played with him or against him. And let me tell you, I wish I had a time machine to go back to 1970 so that I could see him play.
Then I would make sure to check out Jimi Hendrix, Led Zep, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa and James Brown, but that's a whole other story... =)
That number 1 was probably the most beautiful goal in NHL history
My favorite one was the between the legs. That was just sick.
If he got on a break away it was over. the most dominating hockey player ever and no one will ever come close in terms of overwhelming defense man and goalies. now gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever because of his ability to read plays and he had the greatest ice awareness ever, he was just always in the right place at the right time.
In his record 51 consecutive game point streak (Mario never did that), Wayne scored 153 pts, 3 pts/game. When the streak ended, he missed 6 games because he was playing with injuries for a long time.
Wayne played a lot more than Mario and his pts/game avg is higher, that's incredible. And if Gretzky had retired after the trade to LA (after only 9 seasons), he would have almost as many pts than Lemieux for his whole career, wow.
Mario the magnificent. I miss wathing him play. He'd have every scoring record if he wouldn't have had the health problems.
Sid the Kid is pretty damn good too!
nice!
The fact Lemieux had many aweful injuries keeps us from a good comparison. I have to say that comparing the time in which they played, Lemieux would still stand out in todays hockey.
impressionnant
Check that - Pavel Bure scored the most Goals that season with 59. Sakic was the MVP.
But by any measure that is incredible. Take 3 years off - and come back - and just like that, you are still the best player in the game. WoW!
Le Magnifique.
Somehow this guy reminds me about the early Steven Seagal! Huge self-confidence, heavy ass(haha), big body and skillfull as hell! He has that kind of heavyness in his presence that makes the guys around him look like kids!
GREATEST OF ALL TIME! WOOOO
Having seen both of them in their prime, I would say that Gretzky had the luxury of playing on more better teams than Lemieux. Overall, I agree with the assessment that Lemieux & Orr were better players than Gretzky.
suuuper marioooo
Nice video, but I just wanted to add something in regards to a few previous posts below.
As far as Mike Bossy goes, let's face it: he was maybe the purest goal scorer the league ever saw after Maurice Richard, regardless of Gretzky's and Lemieux's stats, ok?
Here's one for the road: according to some, Guy Lafleur was probably more exciting to watch than everybody mentioned above. Maybe more so than Bure, Crosby and Ovechkin! =)
Thanks for posting the video! It's great to see # 66 flying!
Number 6: Doesn't even touch the puck and it is still brilliant. I remember that like it was yesterday!
wow I thought I was the only one, I don't feel so alone anymore.
best ever, period.
Every one of these goals is an obstruction penalty (hooking/holding/interference). This is what made Lemieux so great. In today's game... He'd have 5 points a game.
PRO :)