Mario Lemieux is the greatest hockey player to ever play the game. Drafted by the Penguins first overall in 1984, Lemieux won the Calder trophy as the league’s top rookie, scoring 100 points in 73 games. In this sophomore year he’d win his first of four Pearson awards, which goes to the league MVP as voted on by the players. In 1991 he’d guide the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup, and in 1992 repeat that feat with back to back championships, despite debilitating back pain that rendered him unable to tie his own skates. In 1993 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and returned later that season to win the scoring title, with a ridiculous 2.67 points per game. Over the next three seasons, Lemieux won two more scoring titles, before retiring after the 1996-97 season, citing declining health and the increasingly frustrating “dead puck era” of the NHL. He was immediately enshrined in the NHL Hall of Fame, which waived the customary three year waiting period.

Halfway through the 2000-01 season, news broke that Lemieux had been preparing for a comeback, secretly training with former teammate and tough guy Jay Caufield. Upon his return on December 27th, 2001, Lemieux immediately reassumed his MVP status, going on to lead the league in goals per game and assists per game at age 35. By this time, Lemieux had purchased the Penguins via money owed to him by the struggling team, so his number was “un-retired” from the rafters and worn for the next four seasons. In 2005-06, Lemieux skated along side then rookie Sidney Crosby, ushering in the next face of the NHL before retiring for the last time on January 24th, 2006. In 2007 he brokered a new arena deal with the city of Pittsburgh, ensuring the Penguins would remain with the city for many decades to come.

This jersey was worn during the spring of 2001, including games vs Minnesota, New Jersey, Columbus, Atlanta, and the New York Rangers. It shows moderate wear with obvious stick marks on the arms and crest, several burns on the shoulder and rear hem, popped stitches and interior pilling. The mark on the right cuff is notable in several magazines, cards, and press photos. The burn on the back hem is matched to what Sports Illustrated has called one of their best photos of Lemieux. Additional photos are matched to sewing irregularities, loose threads, etc. I’ve been able to photo match the jersey 41 times not including video, making it one of the most well documented Lemieux jerseys ever.