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SI's Best Photos of Mario Lemieux

In 1984, Mario Lemieux was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the top pick in the NHL Draft. Lemieux—which means "the best" in French—later snapped Wayne Gretzky's seven-year hold on the scoring title and eight-year grip on the Hart Trophy (MVP). A Rookie of the Year, six-time NHL scoring leader, three-time MVP and two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner, "Super Mario"​ made miraculous comebacks from Hodgkin's disease and multiple back injuries and, as an encore, bought the Penguins and saved the team from bankruptcy in 1999. Lemieux led Pittsburgh to two consecutive Stanley Cups in 1991 and '92. Under his ownership, the Penguins won a third Cup in 2009 and a fourth in 2016.​ ​As "Le Magnifique​" celebrates his 51st birthday on Oct. 5, 2016, we present SI's best photos of Mario Lemieux.
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